Loose cigarettes to be crushed by new Bill?
Others said the drive to ban smoking in shebeens was non-existent locally and felt that the authorities would in no way be able to implement the new regulations. U
An old South African favourite – the R2 or sometimes R5 loose cigarette – is about to be extinguished because of the ontrol of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which also seeks to ban the display of tobacco products in shops.
Loose cigarettes are sold widely in Dundee – on the streets, in shebeens, pubs, and at tuckshops. The South African Informal Traders Association (Saita),
says the government regulations will crush the “backbone of the informal trade”.
The department last week released for public comment the Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which also seeks to ban the display of tobacco products in shops.
Saita estimated that as much as one-third of the average informal traders’ income came from selling cigarettes.
“If you look at any taxi rank or township trader, you will see that these [loose cigarettes] are the backbone of the informal trade.”
Saita said there were 2,2 million informal traders, hawkers, spaza shop owners and home-based informal traders across the country, many of whom would be hit hard by this proposal.
The acting president of Saita, Rosheda Muller, said such a regulation by government would crush informal trading, possibly leading to them being unable to support their families.
“If you look at any taxi rank or township trader, you will see that these [loose cigarettes] are the backbone of the informal trade.”
Regarding the proposal to ban the display of tobacco products in shops, Muller said: “This won’t work in the informal trade as we don’t have the infrastructure of the formal sector. We simply don’t have anywhere to hide the products.
“The minister seems to think that by hiding cigarettes away, people will stop smoking. Anyone can tell you that it won’t work.”
Another aspect of the Bill is to put all cigarettes in plain packaging — something Muller believes would drive the illicit trade of cigarette.
A healthy alternative to cigarettes?
Traders in Dundee agreed, saying that many of their customers simply cannot afford to buy a full pack of cigarettes – the price of which has increased greatly since VAT and other ‘sin taxes’ increased.
Others said the drive to ban smoking in shebeens was non-existent locally and felt that the authorities would in no way be able to implement the new regulations. Up until now, only the traditional sports clubs and restaurants and hotels have been targeted to ensure that the ban on smoking in public places is enforced.
What are your thoughts on the banning of the loose cigarette?
