Level 4: The chances of getting cigarettes back just went up in smoke

You can pretty much forget the thought of getting cigarettes back during this lockdown, following comments made by Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu. Ramaphosa’s right-hand man has ruled out ‘any possibility’ of our smokes returning during Level 4 of lockdown.

Jackson Mthembu rules out ‘agreement’ with cigarette companies

In a further blow to the smokers of Mzansi, it would seem that President Ramaphosa himself is against the ban, too. Mthembu told the Sunday Times that Cyril – who initially announced that cigarettes would be returning to supermarket shelves on Friday 1 May – has also been swayed on the issue, choosing to consider the health ramifications and arguments made within the public submissions.

According to Mthembu, the ANC government is happy to stick to their guns. There will be no reversal of the smoking ban while we are at this particular level of lockdown, as the Cabinet put on a united front:

“There is no possibility of a midway agreement that accommodates them and us. We believe that it is the right thing to do. I don’t see any of us agreeing on the cigarette measures the other party has taken. We will make our case in court. We believe we have very good reasons.”

Jackson Mthembu

Level 4 latest: Government set for court action over smoking ban

Although smokers have resorted to more illicit means to get their fix, it’s understood that those who break lockdown laws to smoke are in the minority. Mthembu also remains unfazed by the legal action the government is facing next week.

Cigarette industry behemoths British American Tobacco have given the National Command Council until 10:00 on Monday to go back on the word they already went back on, by putting ciggies on sale again while we’re at Level 4.

Should they fail to do so, an application for a review will be submitted to court. But with ministers – and more importantly, the president – singing from the same hymn sheet, this will prove to be a very difficult law to overturn.