profile/5013IMG_20200125_160310_797.jpg
Shirley12
Cigarette Scarcity Hits South Africa
~1.9 mins read
vernment backtracks on lifting cigarette sales ban
In a stunning about-turn on Wednesday, the government announced that a ban on the sale of tobacco products and cigarettes would continue from Friday when some Level 5 lockdown restrictions are eased.
Across South Africa in general, cigarettes were four times easier to access than alcohol – the sale of which is also banned, the data showed.
"One in five people in South Africa currently smoke, and approximately one in ten smokers were able to access cigarettes during lockdown. The continued access to cigarettes in informal settlements could imply informal trade," the HSRC said.
News24 hit the streets of two of the country’s major metros, Cape Town and Pretoria, to find out just how easily available tobacco products were during the lockdown. We also spoke to smokers who had found access spots.
Loosies, boxes and cartons
In Cape Town, it took only four minutes and 28 seconds to find the first pack of cigarettes for sale. Another three minutes to find a second box. And, in under an hour, News24 had found a full carton to buy - 10 packs of 20. The brands: Stix, Derby and Sharp.
In Pretoria, it took only 15 minutes for News24 to find its first dealer, after approaching a man in Mamelodi who signalled that he had cigarettes by placing two fingers on his lips, gesturing taking a drag of a cigarette.
The man offered up five packs of Camel filter and two packs of Dunhill Courtleigh blend, for R60 each, and said he could get other cigarettes. These were the only conventional brands of cigarettes that News24 managed to find in Pretoria.
In Pretoria, News24 drove through the CBD where loose draws were freely available at R5 per cigarette. In Pretoria West, a dealer was selling a brand called Sharp for R70 a packet.
In the upmarket suburbs in Pretoria East, News24 found a local café that was out of cigarettes, but still willing to sell cigars and snuff (a smokeless tobacco product) at retail price.
Another local grocery store admitted to selling cigarettes during the lockdown, but said they had since run out. The cashier informed News24 that they would be getting stock of Sharp later this week.
A parking guard at a shopping complex was selling a brand called Remington Gold for R70 a pack, while a security guard at an estate was selling Sharp and Pall Mall at R65 per pack.
profile/5013IMG_20200125_160310_797.jpg
Shirley12
13 Killed In PERU
~1.0 mins read
At least 13 people died in a crush as partygoers tried to flee a Lima nightclub raided by police because it was in breach of coronavirus restrictions.
People were crushed to death or suffocated as around 120 people tried to escape the Thomas Restobar club on Saturday, national police and government officials said.
Local media reported that the victims were in their 20s.
A further six people were injured, including three police officers.
A statement from the Interior Ministry blamed the “criminal irresponsibility of an unscrupulous businessman†for the tragedy.
Advertisement
Link socials
Matches
Loading...