Petition calls for ‘unfair and spiteful’ cigarettes ban
A petition calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reverse a ban on the sale of cigarettes has garnered over 4 800 signatures in less than 24 hours since it was started.
The petition was launched by Bev Maclean on the Change.org platform on Monday.
Almost two weeks ago, Ramaphosa announced that the country would be going into a 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
He had earlier declared South Africa a disaster state just days after the country confirmed its first case of the virus.
Since, more than 1 600 people in the country have been infected and 12 people have been killed by the virus.
Globally, the virus has claim over 76 000 lives since January, and more than 1.3 million people around the world are infected. Global recoveries from the virus stand at just over 290 000.
In her petition, Maclean said it was “unfair and spiteful” to give smokers just one day’s notice about a cigarette ban during the nationwide lockdown.
“Withdrawal of nicotine has serious effects on a lot of people and is especially elevated because of the stress and fear happening in our country.
“It causes, amongst others, depression and anxiety and because we are in lockdown, most people will lash out and maybe even hurt loved ones unintentionally.
Read the full story on: IOL.