Lift the ban of selling tobacco in South Africa during lockdown

Comments

#4005

I think this is absurd

Sheldon Henderson (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4011

Cos its my civil right to do as i please... and i dont need, want, or require any assistance from THIS goverment to make decision for me. i stopped being a child a long time ago.

Thor Pedersen (Cape Town, 2020-04-29)

#4012

I know someone that stopped smoking and got pneumonia and died because of the abrupt stopping of smoking. There are more implications to stopping smoking so abruptly than some believe.

Tamryn Hayne (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4018

The ban is not helping anyone in this situation. Other countries have spent their time finding solutions for all kinds of relevant issues not creating a dictatorship to worsen the current economic crisis or psychologically fragile citizens of the country.

René Hutson (Cape Town, 2020-04-29)

#4019

Im signing because I am a smoker for 32years, and addicted.

Anita Van der walt (Stilbaai, 2020-04-29)

#4023

I smoke!

Carin Vosloo (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4025

Cause i just lost my job of no sigarrette sales no income to maintain my household and the ters don't even cover my pension and medical aid.

David Van niekerk (Ceres, 2020-04-29)

#4029

I'm devastated. I don't smoke but a friend is going to go crazy. I won't be surprised if she tries to take her own life. I managed to get her supply before lockdown but can't help her now

Patricia Beard (Cape Town, 2020-04-29)

#4031

Wee need to Buy sigerretes

michael Allers (ermelo, 2020-04-29)

#4032

It's my choice to smoke.

Monique Walsh (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4034

I don't want to be forced to stop smoking.
Less than 2 days before I was going to buy cigarettes.
This is a violation of my rights.

Karen Nortman (Onrus River, 2020-04-29)

#4035

Load of bullshit, the government and the ANC don't own us, they are trying to take our freedom away from us by manipulation. To hell with them!!

Deborah Leigh (Gauteng, 2020-04-29)

#4036

im a smoker. not a drinker. not a drug abuser. not a abusive husband. just a honest hard working south african who enjoys have a cigarette. at home sitting with my dogs relaxing. not in public.

Damon van Ballegooyen (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4040

Isolated individuals smoking cannot pass passive smoke to other individuals

Gordon Bergh (Moorreesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4045

This ban accomplished nothing positive and the government is loosing much needed tax income at this time. People are still smoking weather you like it or not!

Gary White (Cape Town, 2020-04-29)

#4049

The rationale of this ban makes no sense, and only furthers illegal sales.

Sanchia Goosen (Pretoria, 2020-04-29)

#4057

I'm a smoker myself and withdrawal is very bad. I'm agitated and that is my only stress relief available.....

Jaco Kok (Empangeni, 2020-04-29)

#4058

I am a smoker and not a child. I pay my taxes and am a law abiding citizen.

Angela Crowder (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4062

I would not like to pay more taxes in future for the loss of tax the government is losing by not selling legal cigarettes.

Izani Smit (Oudtshoorn, 2020-04-29)

#4065

I think the government is overreaching with the controls they are putting in place and this is as good a hill to make the last stand on as any.

Riaan Roos (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4069

I'm signing because our economy is dying if we can help it with sin tax and there is a demand for it why not. The black market is still operating why not get the tax from it and help benefit the country

Raquel Cooper (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4074

It my right to be able to go to a shop and buy cigarettes.

Wendy Du Toit (New Germany, 2020-04-29)

#4076

This shit must stop, this is one of our countries great impact on bringing the economy back up

Kehrisha Pillay (Benoni, 2020-04-29)

#4078

I am signing because I believe cigarettes should be sold during lockdown.

Almarie Oberholzer (Oudtshoorn, 2020-04-29)

#4080

Last I checked we were still living in a Democratic State, so it`s my personal choice whether I want to smoke or not, same as having an alcoholic drink...

JJ Steyn (Stilfontein, 2020-04-29)

#4081

My body i can decide, no link between Covid-19 and smoking, will not be smoking skuif skuif as we not supposed to be gathering, the reason that smoking is generally not allowed in public spaces... We in lockdown we are not even supposed to be in public spaces. Especially for the poor, if government thinks the poor will stop smoking they delusional. The cheap black market cigarettes are been bought and damaging our lungs more. They encouraging the sale of black market cigs

Tina Yon (Cape Town, 2020-04-29)

#4082

How can 2000 people decide over millions of smokers. We understand the health risk and pay our sin taxes, legal tax revenue which SA is loosing once again. Tax money which can be used to help our starving people and stop loaning more money.

Rika Botha (Gauteng, 2020-04-29)

#4084

This is an unthinking, unscientific, unproductive reversal of an announcement by the President. Are we now a police state? While the only winners are the illegal tobacco trade? P.S. I am a non-smoker. I am a concerned and responsible citizen. Our self-appointed masters (they were not elected as masters) are becoming a new danger.

Pieter Schoombee (Hermanus, 2020-04-29)

#4087

I am a smoker and cheap cigarettes are readly available in the market which is causing more damage.cigarettes are being sold at a very high price.we are smoking in our houses not in public we are not harming anybody.thank you.

Moonsamy Magandren (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4096

There is much more dangerous activities than smoking. Please do not make the lock-down even more painful.

Michael Fouche (Port Elizabeth, 2020-04-29)

#4097

To lift the ban of tabacco and sigas

Hsnnes Janse van Rensburg (Oudtshoorn, 2020-04-29)

#4099

What has smoking to do with covert 19? Why are they insisting to take away my human right to choose without a valid reason????

Deon Pheiffer (Hermanus, 2020-04-29)

#4103

Of withdrawal symtoms one gets when one doesnt have a smoke. You get very moody.

shannon ely (johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4104

I want to smoke

Ashleigh Schoeman (Alberton, 2020-04-29)

#4108

The president said it will be fine to sell again , now all of a sudden not. Like who is making these rules?

Ryno lee Steenkamp (Cape town, 2020-04-29)

#4111

It is not necessaryto ban it, it'll only make chaos.

Corlia Pretorius (Middelburg, 2020-04-29)

#4112

It is my right to smoke

Christa Swart (Capetown, 2020-04-29)

#4114

I'm a smoker

Chantal Riley (Cape Town, 2020-04-29)

#4116

This is just ludicrous.


2,000 people objecting to cigarettes being on sale??? Who are they?

Cigarettes are LEGAL. They earn SIN TAX.

Stop this childish power play now.

Mandy Moet (Agulhas, 2020-04-29)

#4120

I feel it is my right to smoke and to smoke cannot harm the lockdown

Johan O'Neill (Carletonville, 2020-04-29)

#4124

It is my decision to
Smoke or not!!!

Tessa Ribeiro (Port Shepstone, 2020-04-29)

#4128

Because some researchers are seeing signs that smokers are LESS susceptible to the corona virus - in the interests of my health I should be allowed to buy cigarettes - https://theweek.com/speedreads/911429/scientists-are-perplexed-by-low-rate-coronavirus-hospitalizations-among-smokers-nicotine-may-hold-answer

Anne Hay (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4131

If people can share masks to get access to shops - yes it happens - why do you feel the need to ban sigarettes because people may take a drag from another person???? ...... AND people do not follow social distancing rules
(check videos and photos on social media) and taxis are full to the brim then I will buy on the blackmarket. Enough with following all the rules and regulations and getting negatively impacted while the lawbreakers benefit. Government, you are wasting your time with Lockdown as people do not listen and follow rules.

Susan Berning (Somerset west, 2020-04-29)

#4132

This is bullshit

Marie Di Toit (CAPE TOWN, 2020-04-29)

#4133

At this point in time i say lift the ban due to high prices of cigarettes.Its causing no harm to other people except to those who smoke.

Moonsamy Racheal (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4134

This will cause us as smokers to not have to look for it on the black market currently
It is our stress relief
Govermant losing alot on taxes

Quentin Watson (Pretoria, 2020-04-29)

#4135

Help us Mr President, we believed in you, supported you, followed all your rules for us. We saw you as the father of our nation. Leading us, caring for us. But now you've lied. You promised us our freedom and our rights and you've let another Zuma rob us. Rob us of our freedom, rob our country of the taxes we contribute as smokers, rob us of our rights, and rob us of our faith in you. #ZumaMustFallAgain

Megan Bennetts (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4139

I want ******* cigarettes

Arlindo Miranda (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4143

The cigarette ban must be lifted as there are more people for cigarettes than the 2000 against

Debbie Clarke (Benoni, 2020-04-29)

#4146

It is my choice to smoke/vape and they are making criminals out of law abiding citizens by forcing people to buy on the black market. Lift the ban and get some needed tax money to help SA through this crisis

Marize Koekemoer (Centurion, 2020-04-29)

#4149

Taking the rights away is wrong and it will, I promise, cause more problems

Dewald Wessels (Pretoria, 2020-04-29)

#4151

They do not ban chocolates and cakes more people die of obesity. We are not children one day yes tomorrow no

Theresa Kapp (Centurion, 2020-04-29)

#4153

I dont see the point in the ban of cigarettes. This is just a stress relieve for most people.

Ilze Brand (Middelburg, 2020-04-29)

#4155

Why the ban? By destroying the industry families are in trouble and people lose their jobs. Furthermore it destroys the SA economy.

Rita van Kraayenburg (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4159

it calms me down

tereaza fortmann (empangeni, 2020-04-29)

#4161

I am a smoker why should I be punished did not ask for this virus to come and disrupt my life

Elanie Nel (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4162

I don't smoke, but is definitely a stress relief to smoke.

Erna Swanepoel (Benoni, 2020-04-29)

#4164

Cigarettes doesn't contribute to Covid19 infections. Ban on cigarettes assist illicit sales and criminal activity. Freedom of choice.

Cornelius VAN Niekerk (Roodepoort, 2020-04-29)

#4165

I'm a smoker and I know the risks of smoking and its my choice. The president just announced that it would be legal and now it's suddenly not because people share smokes - come on man - we stressed enough already - dont take away what helps us cope honestly

Claire McCabe (Pietermaritzburg, 2020-04-29)

#4168

This government can't destroy everything we live for they are already trying to take out our small business owners

Chris Genade (CAPE town, 2020-04-29)

#4170

Banning tobacco products give rise to black markets. Tax derived from legal tobacco products can go a long way to fund food parcels for the needy. Recent studies suggest smokers are less likely to be infected by Covid-19.

Llewellyn Smit (Oudtshoorn, 2020-04-29)

#4171

I'm signing this petition as this is a mental condition i have, and if my condition is not handled WE smokers will all be heading to the public hospitals to get help from doctors!! Can the hospitals handle hundreds of thousands of non-smokers with mental conditions??? yeah re-think your policies please.

Paulo Da Silva (johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4173

I have been a smoker, for over 50 years, and believe this bam is total absurd excuse by saying it spreads the Covid 19.
Never is all my years have I shared a cigarette. It's the most feeble excuse I've heard.
Has NDZ a "special arrangement" with the people mentioned in the Sunday Times article?

Duncan Deuchars (Sandton, 2020-04-29)

#4174

i

Kyrin Naicker (Durban, 2020-04-29)

#4175

There has been evidince from some european countrys that seems to indicate that smokers are hospiliazed less often than non smokers

Stefan Terblanche (Cape town, 2020-04-29)

#4180

To avoid more stress and illegal sales of cigarettes.

Janine Lewis (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4181

The dangers of going through withdrawal symptoms will be more negative than selling them, not to mention the economic impact that it will have

Ian Olivier (Johannesburg, 2020-04-29)

#4182

Stop being stupid. Illegal cigarettes booming. And now more than ever. People sharing because of the lack of being able to buy

Tino Joubert (Robertsham, 2020-04-29)

#4184

I think the cigarette sale ban is too restrictive. I don't see why I can't pick up my cigarettes along with my groceries. If cigarettes are considered "non-essential," so should everything else but bread, vegetables, meat and bottled water, but I still see items like chips, cookies, milk, spreads and everything else that make life worth living on the shelves. It takes no time at all to buy a pack of cigarettes with one's bread and milk, and will make this lockdown bearable to millions of people. Furthermore, the ministers who are making these arbitrary and petty regulations are not doing it for the well-being of the people, but their own personal agendas. It's unconstitutional and undemocratic, and the government has let us down at the last moment.

Celeste Groenewald (Bloemfontein, 2020-04-29)

#4187

Bring cigarettes back.

Maggie Odendaal (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)

#4191

I am a smoker and think the smoking ban is ridiculous

hein van Zyl (Plettenberg Bay, 2020-04-30)

#4193

I am a smoker

Pranesh Premlall (Kwazulu Natal, 2020-04-30)

#4194

I appreciate that this is a very difficult time for our government but that doesn't make it right that they:
1. Didn't let us know more than 1 day in advance of the ban on cigarette sales which meant a lot of people who couldn't stock up ahead of time.
2. Ignored a petition that had over 100 000 signatures to lift the ban on sale (as of 10 April), yet they took under account the mere 2 000 who didn't want the sales.
3. YOU, MR PRESIDENT told the entire country that you would allow cigarette sales from the 1st of May.
Futher more i can't understand why it's not allowed, it doesn't cause wild or erratic behavior (except maybe if they can't smoke), so it won't leed to more people in the hospitals.
With regards to ìt helping the spread, don't you think that if people had an ample supply they would not have the need to share with each other.
People with nicotine withdrawal are temperamental and their body is not at optimum health capacity, which would make them more susceptible to catch the disease. Any damage that might have been done to a person's lungs as a result of their own free choice is irrevocable and forcing them into nicotine withdrawal won't help at all.
AND the government gets a lot of taxes from tobacco sales, I would think the country needs the money at the moment.
Mr president, you have completely lost my confidence in you, if you can't keep your word then how can i believe you in the future!

Anet-mari Alberts (Bloemfontein, 2020-04-30)

#4196

This is a ridiculous power play and false promises were made regarding the sell of sigarettes from 1 May.

Marlize De Kock (Secunda, 2020-04-30)

#4197

They need to lift the ban. Or we will have illegal cigarettes sales elsewhere

Dawn Reed (Durban, 2020-04-30)

#4199

Zol is not cigarettes

Kyra Sparrow (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)



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