Lift the ban of selling tobacco in South Africa during lockdown
Comments
#4405
I am a smoker and essential worker. I cannot sleep due to stress of this virus. Please let us smoke. PleaseRiana Janse van Rensburg (Pretoria, 2020-04-30)
#4406
For my sanity yes please lift the ban.Michael Van Der Linde (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4407
The sudden stop to smoking can cause severe problems with people who have been smoking for years.Brendan Van Pletzen (East London, 2020-04-30)
#4408
I am a smoker and it is my right to smoke. And what about those who have been smoking for 50+ years. Their bodies can't handle the sudden stop nicotine!!!Charlene Jefferies (Sedgefield, 2020-04-30)
#4410
I am a smoker and it really is a pleasant feeling this way reall feels like a big punishment I really respect the rules of the lockdown but I feel like we shouldn't have everything taken away from us completely. We have already given up our freedom please give us thisKelly Ann Ferguson (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4411
We can send children back to school but we can’t smoke, if anything ban smoking in public but not in our private homes, we have rights too!Darynn Buys (Edenvale, 2020-04-30)
#4414
Banning of cigarettes is unconstitutional.Shalendra Persad (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4415
I will not be dictated to!Linda Toms (Somerset West, 2020-04-30)
#4419
We are the only country banning the sale of cigarettes.This is a case of 2 people forcing their preferences onto the people.if they could they would ban smoking forever.They have seized this situation as a cover for their agenda to try force people to stop smoking.However they are totally disillusionial as the trade is still continuing and actually made the reasons they give for banning even worse.People are moving around more and going places they normally wouldn't in search of cigarettes.
William Van Rooyen (Midrand, 2020-04-30)
#4420
This ban is totally unnecessary - ban smoking in public if you have toSYDNEY BRETT (WENDYWOOD, 2020-04-30)
#4421
I am a smoker and it's not good for my health to stop smokingNadia Greeff (Krugersdorp, 2020-04-30)
#4423
I've been smoking for years now and it brings my stress levels down , you want to take something away from ppl and some ppl enjoy it. Ban smoking you will see what will happen ppl will not like the after affects of it its going cause more crime than what we have right now.Ryan stubbs (Centurion, 2020-04-30)
#4425
Its one of my basic human rights and I can decide for myself if I want to smoke or not. As a smoker I contribute to the economy. No cigarettes is not the solution for the Covid-19 problem. I smoke in my own home. Social distancing is the temporary solution and its got nothing to do with my smoking habit.Madeleine Smit (Pretoria, 2020-04-30)
#4427
My bipolar friend, another with depression & 81 year lady struggle & can't cope. Abusive smoker husbands become more aggressive. Then cake sweets gas cooldrink chocolates are sold but its SO unhealthy. And dagga is not banned.Nosizwe Nhlapo (Grahamstown Makhands, 2020-04-30)
#4430
It’s a crazy decision to ban smokingDudley Leck (Amanzimtoti, 2020-04-30)
#4431
I think the government is now taking things too far. This is killing our economy. Rather concentrate on feeding the hungry than seeking smokers and people who have a glass of wine.Yvette Page (Midrand, 2020-04-30)
#4432
Cigarettes are relief from the stress and furthermore, the call to uplift the ban was said by the president. Who is Dlamini Zuma to make this call of banning it? Like Jacob they are both uselessRowen Moodley (Gauteng, 2020-04-30)
#4433
We are not children, don't dictate to us!!We have the right to choose whether or not we want to smoke!!
You are exposing us to the virus everytime we go out to find cigarettes!!
LIFT THE BAN!!
Vennessa Minnie (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4436
I am a smoker and depend on smoking . If i have to be forced to quit i will become moody and irritated and i have kids at home and do not need to be in a bad mood becouse i cannot smoke. Lift the banHelene van Rensburg (BLOEMFONTEIN, 2020-04-30)
#4437
I do not want to support the illegal cigarette trade but now am forced to be a criminal. Thanks Mr Pres and NDZ!!!Garrick Johnson (Port Elizabeth, 2020-04-30)
#4439
These are unrealistic bansLeandra Nippold (Durban, 2020-04-30)
#4440
Originally the reasoning for not selling cigarettes and alcohol is to avoid people sharing these items. By banning cigarettes AGAIN the risk of spreading the virus is now even HIGHER as people WILL now share the last few remaining cigarettes they do have. It defeats the object.Estelle Potgieter (Stellenbosch, 2020-04-30)
#4443
They sold it to us for all these years and were happy to take the sintax. Now the fact that it is addictive is not a concern.Raben Moodley (Thabazimbi, 2020-04-30)
#4447
The government force us to support illigal tradeAndre Britz (brackenfell, 2020-04-30)
#4448
2000 people are considered a louder voice than 11 million. I take orders from uncle Cyril not family of a corrupt JacobRyan Riley (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4449
I have a right to choose if I can smokeJuanita Louw (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4453
I am a smokerLeshika Rajkumar (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4454
I wana smoke & not get in trouble for looking for cigs etc.Jade Simons (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4461
I am signing as I believe my freedom of choice is been violatedKen Delaney (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4464
After many years of smoking quitting now will not magically make my lungs clean and youthful. The damage is done already.Anybody who really wants to smoke will find a way to illegally get hold of tobacco.
Banning it is not goung to stop it, just make criminals of ordinary people trying ti ease their anxiety with a smoke.
Alison Smekal (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4466
Tabacco reliefs stress symptomsMaria Gildenhuys (Germiston, 2020-04-30)
#4470
You are losing taxes and how are you going to sustain the economy with out these taxes.Valen
Valen Oberholzer (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4472
It is promoting cigarettes on the black marketGrant Nicholson (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4477
The cigarette Ban is unfair, and cigarettes should be sold under restrictions.Majority of smokers will get cigarettes illegally, so the ban is not slowing the virus at all, but just hurting the country and people in many ways.
lemuel Reddy (Pretoria, 2020-04-30)
#4480
I am a smoker. I buy my owm cigarettes. No one can force me to quitAlistair Allies (Upington, 2020-04-30)
#4481
not fair against long time smokers which could cause more harm as goodLouis Biccard (Alberton, 2020-04-30)
#4484
I am a smoker and experiencing a lot of anger due to this banJohan Uys (Ballito, 2020-04-30)
#4488
Smoking is an addiction unfortunately many of my families has this addiction. I am sure your families are missing there fast foods and coke. You cant stop one and not the other. My son is saying that most of his friends are now opting for dagga. Should my son do this I'll hold you Minister responsible for this. So please re-think before you act. I can see many lawsuit comming your way. If you want to stop smoking then stop fast foods that is why so many people are overweight. PleaseZettie Kenworthy (Gauteng, 2020-04-30)
#4489
The lockdown is already so difficult and now continuing with the ban on cigarettes is making life even more stressful.Tasneem Moolla Jassat (Gauteng, 2020-04-30)
#4491
Stop dictating to us!!It is our right to decide whether or not we want to smoke!!
It is our hard earned money we are spending!!
They are turning law abiding citizens into criminals!!
They are exposing us to the virus everytime we go out to find cigarettes!!
Do they realise how much taxes they are losing??!!
LIFT THE BAN!!!
Vennessa Van Vollenhoven Minnie (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4494
I'm a somkerLee-Nore Scheepers (Witbank, 2020-04-30)
#4495
I need gwaais ekseDarren Moore (Waterval boven, 2020-04-30)
#4496
There is no more threat from cigarettes than there is from any other item purchased ay a grocery store. Banning cigarettes does not help at all to prevent Covid 19. Infact banning cigarettes probably will put people at higher risk when they try to get some illegally when withdrawal kicks in. Allowing people to buy over tye counter at a grocery store when buying groceries will have people staying calmer and promote staying in home much better because they wont be moving around trying to find cigarettes the illegal way.Michael Van Zijl (Tongaat, KZN, 2020-04-30)
#4497
Normal law abiding citizens will be forced to act illegally because of their addiction to tobacco. This also opens the gate for illegal trade and ripping off the public. This money would have been taxed helping the government, but now people will be forced to enrich the criminals. The risk of people transferring Covid in a taxi/bus etc. Is much higher than people smoking. (Social distancing is law so how could and would they smoke socially? People only smoke socially after drinking socially!)Jolinda Hartmann (Sandton, 2020-04-30)
#4498
Against human rightsBrenda Brett (Sandton, 2020-04-30)
#4499
People have rights and the government has no right to take away the rights of the people.Charmaine Edwards (Durban, 2020-04-30)
#4501
I smokeColleen Savaal (Cape town, 2020-04-30)
#4502
I believe we should be allowed to buy cigarettes againLeon Naidoo (Kempton Park, 2020-04-30)
#4503
I smokeJenna Snell (East london, 2020-04-30)
#4512
Im a smoker and need sigarettes asapChante Beyleveld (Hartbeespoort, 2020-04-30)
#4513
I am a smoker who has a horrible time quitting.Laura Panaino (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4515
Because although I don't smoke I have family and friends who do. I think grossly unfair to lock people away and deny them something that can and does calm them. Why don't you just allow branded cigarettes and not loose Tabaco and papers.Cheryl Arts (Richards Bay, 2020-04-30)
#4518
Smoking is my choice.Iknow how to protect myself from covid 19.I dont share "skyf"Stefanus Van der merwe (Upington, 2020-04-30)
#4520
Its my choice to smoke. I smoke in my house and not effect anyone else. Lock down is hard enough and at my age i dont need more stress like withdrawel syntoms.Sarie Troskie (Benoni, 2020-04-30)
#4521
It is my constitutional right to decide for MYSELF whate the state of my health is. I have been smoking more the 50 years and is NOT for anyone else to decide if I should stop smoking or not!Frederick Stegmann (Randburg, 2020-04-30)
#4526
Please lift the ban on the selling of cigarettesSarita Henning (Lephalale, 2020-04-30)
#4529
This is not fair as smokers also have a choice and right.Frik Grobler (Mossel bay, 2020-04-30)
#4530
I am suffering from withdrawal and will see the ban of tobacco products eliminated... I have become agitated and that is unfair to my familyMichael Mackenzie (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4532
I'm signing because I am a smokerWayne Childsmith (Pretoria, 2020-04-30)
#4533
I can not see how smoking a sigerette can give you covid 19 this utterly bullshit by taking our rights awayRiaan Gerber (Randfontein, 2020-04-30)
#4534
I suffer from high blood pressure, anxiety, knowing I cannot buy cigarettes has put me in an extremely bad position.Janine Jungnicz (Eshowe, 2020-04-30)
#4536
You are being ridiculous just because 2000 ppl complained. What about the hundreds of thousands who put up with this for 5 weeksCaryll Solomon (Guateng, 2020-04-30)
#4537
Need a cigarette now and then to cope with stressWendy Penn (Jhb, 2020-04-30)
#4541
Infringment of my rights. Wil not increase the incedence of covid. Many other things that are bad for you. Limiting all of those leaves us eating baked beans 3 times a day.Niek Steyn (Hartbeespoort, 2020-04-30)
#4548
Government is opening this country to black market trade due to the cigarette ban.Elmarie Wolmarans (Kempton Park, 2020-04-30)
#4551
This ban is ridiculous. we are tax paying good citizens of the country and have been obedient so far.Jeffery Govender (Gauteng, 2020-04-30)
#4555
My significant other is having withdrawal symptoms and is getting more and more moody by the dayYvette Botha (Mossel bay, 2020-04-30)
#4558
Unfair ban on cigarettes - - we are adults. We have the right to choose to stop smoking.Mona Abrahams (Pretoria, 2020-04-30)
#4559
I beleive we all have rights whether a smoker or a drinker, we should not have the things that relax us away.If government is so worried then take away the sale of coffee as well, caffeine is a massive addiction too.
Darren Staples (Cape Town, 2020-04-30)
#4560
I'm a smoker and no one should tell me not to buy smokes and smokes.Michael Schmidt (Boksburg, 2020-04-30)
#4564
I am a smoker with a manic depressive disorder. I cannot just go cold turkey and give up smoking.Cheryl Smit (Durban, 2020-04-30)
#4565
2000 people opposed to smoking out of 60 million is only 0.003%. Go educate the small precentage who share cigarettes and stop punishing the millions who understand the virus. Why are we the only counrty in the world to ban selling of tobacco products? Why are we still allowed to smoke dagga in a private place but not tobacco? What on earth happened to our democratic system?André Dorfling (Uitenhage, 2020-04-30)
#4567
This is not fair to our economy. We are loosing millions each day on the taxes.Ian Gilliland (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4569
Ban of cigarettesGavin Masters (ROODEPOORT, 2020-04-30)
#4570
I am suffering from depression and I need to smoke to feel relieveJane Wilkinson (Capetown, 2020-04-30)
#4571
The ban must be liftedKouthar Khan (Cape town, 2020-04-30)
#4573
We are not living in a communist state, surely I can decide what I can buy or not. All that is happening now is that people are going to buy on the black market, only criminals will reap the benefits of illegal cigarette salesLinda Van Emmenis (Pretoria, 2020-04-30)
#4581
I think the Government has much bigger problems to focus on, Taiwan the only Country to beat Covid fast and effectively never banned cigarettes. They spent the taxpayers money on the important issues such as identifying and testing potentially affected. Providing support, medical supplies, food and even paying people to isolate. Dlamini Zuma way past her sell by date, can you please replace her with someone that is not at pensionable age and aspire people.Andre Roets (Umhlanga, 2020-04-30)
#4582
I am a smoker.Sandra Stopforth (Centurion, 2020-04-30)
#4596
It is unfair, unwarranted and it imposes on my human rights to ban me from smoking. Also, why do we get treated like 5 year olds? Our President says we can smoke but Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma goes against our president and stops us, WHY? Who is actually running this country Ramaphosa or Dlamini-Zuma???Danie Basson (Johannesburg, 2020-04-30)
#4597
I smoke at home (outside) and in my car (no passengers). I have the right to decide what I want to do for my own health. I don't put other people in jeopardy with my decisions. The country is run by the President, not by 2000 votes against Millions.Christo Kemp (Brakpan, 2020-04-30)
#4598
Its an essential item!!Rekesh Jacklal (Howick, 2020-04-30)