argued in court papers filed on Monday there was no proof Covid-19 was spread through smoking cigarettes.
Essential goods
The association served the government with court papers, filed at the Pretoria High Court, to challenge the decision to retain the ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products during Level 4 of the lockdown.
FITA is also seeking the courts to have cigarettes and tobacco declared as essential goods.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Monday, said that the government’s decision to maintain the ban on cigarette sales was bound to be controversial, but added it was wrong to suggest that he and the ministers were “doing and saying whatever they want” on the matter.
He said the National Coronavirus Command Council had reconsidered the decision to lift the ban on cigarette sales following consultation. He said it was a collective decision.
