Copyright © 2010–2020, The Conversation US, Inc. Christian Ohde/McPhoto/ullstein bild via Getty Images, 27% of males and 9% of females currently use tobacco. The co-use of substances, especially by persons in vulnerable groups, could increase the risk of developing complications from COVID-19 if infected. Governments should recognise this and accept that smokers need help to quit. There are also concerns about the implications on mental health when people are forced to give up their addictions during the lockdown10. The double-edged relationship between COVID-19 stress and SA has one of the highest prevalence of tobacco product use in Africa5 and presently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the continent, putting the country at risk of being hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic if nothing is done to curb the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable citizens. Some of these are to help reduce violence against children, while South Africa has also banned smoking. 2015;10(7). A second reason to support the ban on the sale of tobacco products is related to the health impact of Covid-19 and the disease progression and impact on treatment seen in smokers in other countries. South African Government. This should includes counselling and nicotine replacement therapies. The government must facilitate quitting by providing smoking cessation programmes. At a time when COVID-19 is gripping the world, the pandemic should encourage countries to kickstart programmes and policies that encourage smokers to quit. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has finally explained in detail why the sale of tobacco products was banned during the lockdown. It is understandable that tobacco and nicotine product users will be dealing with the mental stress of restricted movements in addition to giving up their addictions, but of more importance is that they become aware that the lockdown ban provides a good opportunity to quit tobacco use. The motivation to ban the sales of tobacco and tobacco related products in Botswana was informed by scientific evidence that smoking damages human lungs and other body organs. South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown: cigarettes and outdoor exercise could ease the tension. The justifications behind the bans should be used in other countries to encourage smokers to quit. For Botswana the day is particularly poignant. BMC Public Health. COVID-19 lockdown and the tobacco product ban in South Africa. "We need that money for the health system. For Botswana the day is particularly poignant. But it has been eroded and has now dissolved. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132401. “It is surprising that South Africa has taken a different stance with an ailing economy,” Mshibe says. Brathwaite R, Addo J, Smeeth L, Lock K. A Systematic Review of Tobacco Smoking Prevalence and Description of Tobacco Control Strategies in Sub-Saharan African Countries; 2007 to 2014. A systematic review of five Chinese studies published in Tobacco Induced Diseases, found that the odds of a COVID-19 case becoming more severe and leading to death are higher among people with a history of smoking4. The association argued that Dlamini Zuma is not legally permitted to ban the sale of cigarettes during Level 4 of the lockdown. Additionally, and in line with the ideals of the 2020 World No Tobacco Day, the government of Botswana must strictly enforce the provisions of its Control of Smoking Act. Tobacco use and nicotine dependence among people living with HIV who drink heavily in South Africa: a cross-sectional baseline study. 2020; Nkonki L, Fonn S. Decisive and strong leadership and intersectoral action from South Africa in response to the COVID-19 virus. Almost all countries that have implemented social lockdowns to reduce the spread of the virus have permitted the sale of tobacco products, including … The Democratic Alliance says the ban of tobacco doesn't make sense during level three of the lockdown. Botswana has a very high smoking rate of 18% – 27% of males and 9% of females currently use tobacco. BusinessTech. 2020;110(5):339-340. doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i5.14739. Health, Sefako Makgatho COVID-19 lockdown and the tobacco product ban in South Letter to the ditor. Nigeria had banned entry to citizens of 13 countries who have all reported more than 1000 cases, including the US, UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands. Since the start of June, the country has moved to a level 3 lockdown, which has opened up the economy and allowed millions of … As COVID-19 is primarily a disease affecting the respiratory system, smokers are therefore more vulnerable. Barnoya J, Glantz SA. National Department of Health (NDoH), Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), ICF. The imminent easing of lockdown rules in South Africa may bring no respite for smokers who’ve been contending with a tobacco sales ban for almost two months. "Indications are that the ban on the sale of tobacco products will be extended beyond Level 4 of lockdown and into Level 1," he warned. Health Sciences University, Tobacco Induced Diseases. As of 8 April 2020, SA had conducted 63776 COVID-19 tests, had 1845 confirmed cases and 18 resulting deaths6. A country by country guide explaining who is allowed into each EU country and what they can do when they get there–many EU countries are imposing internal travel restrictions for residents. South Africa’s lockdown rules started with high legitimacy. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, countries across the world have relied on complete or partial lockdowns as a mitigative step to control the spread of infection. Tob Induc Dis. Tobacco association fired-up over cigarette ban Wednesday 22 April 2020 - 2:37pm A tobacco association is planning to go to court to challenge the ban on cigarette sales during … These figures are higher than the rest of the continent, where about 14% of men and 2% of women smoke. On account of the devastating impact of smoking on COVID-19, the WHO has put out a scientific brief based on a review of 32 studies. The ban on cigarette sales, which came in on 27 March, has been lifted South Africa has announced an easing of some lockdown restrictions beginning next month, citing economic concerns. This is similar to South Africa, where the national smoking prevalence is about 18%: 29% of males and 6.8% of females. 1,845 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa, with deaths up to 18. The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported. 1. According to the estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Africa is one of two regions – along with the Eastern Mediterranean region – where smoking rates are on the rise. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 118,600 academics and researchers from 3,811 institutions. There was no source of funding for this research. 2020;18(March). Governments in both countries have faced a massive backlash, with smokers expressing their unhappiness. The government has received criticism from some pro-tobacco advocates and academics for the sales ban on tobacco products and alcohol during the lockdown10, but this move is heroic and should be viewed as taking a double shot at protecting citizens from COVID-19, given the vulnerability of many South Africans to the disease. COVID-19 does not stop good practice in smoking cessation: Safe use of CO analyzer for smokers in the Covid era, Boosting the Tobacco Control Vaccine: recognizing the role of the retail environment in addressing tobacco use and disparities, Tobacco and e-cigarette shops awarded ‘essential business’ Along with the measures to ban tobacco imports and sales, governments have the opportunity to provide smokers with treatments to help them. The prohibition and the response have attracted global headlines. Botswana needs to jump on to this opportunity. Banning alcohol during lockdown has happened in some places across the globe including the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, Aisne in France and even South Africa. Catherine O. Egbe1,2, Senamile P. Ngobese1. labels in France during COVID-19, The future of sustainability in the context of COVID-19, Tobacco and COVID-19: Understanding the science and policy Associate Professor, University of Botswana. Tobacco and nicotine products were designated as non-essential goods and their sales prohibited. The WHO advises governments to support users wanting to quit. Githahu M. Coronavirus: Economists say SA economy is in for a rough ride. 2019;19(1):1684. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-8047-8. Dear Editor, South Africa (SA) imposed a 21-day lockdown from 26 March to 16 April 2020, through the disaster management Act (57/2002) and amended regulations [Section 27(2)] 1, to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country.During the lockdown only essential goods have been allowed on sale 2.Tobacco and nicotine products were designated as non-essential goods and their sales prohibited. South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Banning alcohol during lockdown has happened in some places across the globe including the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, Aisne in France and even South Africa. South Africa’s lockdown began March 27, and the country banned the sale of cigarettes and cooked food. A sign assures people that the bar is open during the coronavirus outbreak, outside a pub in Stockholm, Sweden. Never before have smokers had this kind of opportunity to quit. African Medical Research Interventions it recommends include toll-free quit lines, mobile text-messaging cessation programmes, nicotine replacement therapies and other approved medications. tobacco policy. When the government relaxed the lockdown slightly in … Some of these are to help reduce violence against children, while South Africa have also banned smoking. Reuters Photo. The money is going directly into the pocket of criminals," a South Africa anti-crime campaigner says. For many, the COVID-19 lockdown has been a good push to quit smoking. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the world has seen lockdowns in many countries. The company questions the government’s reasoning behind the tobacco ban based on their observations that countries such as the UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, to name a few, have allowed the sale of tobacco products during lockdown. It notes that. Africa. The capital of Greenland, Nuuk, has banned the sales of alcohol, in an attempt to reduce violence against children, which authorities feared may increase during the lockdown. What countries have banned alcohol during lockdown? The WHO’s recommendation based on the review is that given the well-established harm associated with tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, “tobacco users stop using tobacco”. Smart BTH, Broadbent A. implications, The Social and Environmental Implications of the Novel Coronavirus on Institutional and Community Corrections in South Africa, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other On Saturday, 21 March, it took the measure further by closing its airports to all international travel for one month. 2005;111(20):2684-2698. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.104.492215. Bontle Mbongwe does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Egbe CO, Londani M, Parry CD, et al. In more than 28 countries, tobacco and e-cigarette companies have used social media and other marketing tactics to launch pandemic-themed promotions, undermine minimum age purchase restrictions meant to protect youth and make unproven and illegal health claims. Dear Editor, South Africa (SA) imposed a 21-day lockdown from 26 March to 16 April 2020, through the disaster management Act (57/2002) and amended regulations [Section 27(2)]1, to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country. Move to a district-based lockdown. Drug Research Unit, South Covid-19. Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed. Section 13 of the act bans the advertisement of tobacco products by the tobacco industry. Just in: Sale of cigarettes still banned during Level 4 lockdown Having said that the sale of cigarettes would be permitted in Level 4, government have decided to maintain the ban. In late March, in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the South African government banned the sale of tobacco and alcohol as part of a broad … The country has banned imports and sales of tobacco or tobacco-related products along with other emergency regulations during the … smoking is associated with increased severity of disease and death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. The country has banned imports and sales of tobacco or tobacco-related products along with other emergency regulations during the country’s declared six-month state of public emergency. To the best of my knowledge Botswana and neighbouring South Africa are the only countries to have done so. Bhutan and Turkmenistan (I don’t know either, refer to Google Maps) have had a go, but the nearest to a total smoking ban in any major country in the twentieth century was one we all know. These actions disregard existing law prohibiting the advertising and promotion of tobacco products in Botswana. Vardavas CI, Nikitara K. COVID-19 and smoking: A systematic review of the evidence. Another motivation has been the actions of tobacco companies. A survey done in South Africa of how smokers are coping with the ban on cigarette sales during lockdown confirms how difficult it is for smokers once they are caught in addiction. The ban… Disaster Management Act: Regulations to address, prevent and combat the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19: Amendment. Coronavirus: Which countries have banned alcohol during lockdown? During the lockdown ban, family members and neighbors in apartment complexes who share the same space with tobacco users will also be protected from exposure to SHS since people are not expected to go outside their building to smoke during the lockdown. The 2020 World No Tobacco Day is unique and historic as it comes at the time when countries across the world are on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months, the industry has stooped to new lows to target youth by exploiting the pandemic to sell more products. The COVID-19 pandemic could particularly be problematic for SA given the high prevalence of diabetes, tuberculosis and HIV in the country, compounded by substance use problem even among vulnerable populations7. Countries should take their lead from the global health body. Cardiovascular Effects of Secondhand Smoke. South Africa (SA) imposed a 21-day lockdown from 26 March to 16 April 2020, through the disaster management Act (57/2002) and amended regulations [Section 27(2)]1, to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country. Cigarette smoking affects both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS)8. Recently there has been an upsurge in advertisements, especially banners posted by tobacco companies or individuals that boldly advertise and promote tobacco products in the face of COVID-19. This is a list of smoking bans by country.Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces.Legislation may also, in some cases, restrict the carrying or possessing of any lit tobacco … India and Botswana have also banned the sale of tobacco products, and several other countries are considering following suit, according to the … The National Council Against Smoking’s quitline (011 720 3145), online materials (https://www.againstsmoking.co.za/) and the Cancer Association of South Africa’s online quit tobacco program (https://www.ekickbutt.org.za/) are some good resources accessible to tobacco users to help them quit. On World No Tobacco Day, they tell us how the past couple of months have made a difference During the lockdown only essential goods have been allowed on sale2. Last month, Saudi Arabia banned smokingin government spaces and several public places, including supermarkets, coffee shops and restaurants and prohibits selling tobacco to … Pretoria, South Africa, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NDoH, Stats SA, SAMRC, and ICF; 2019. Pretoria, South Africa, The impact of COVID-19 on the WHO FCTC, cessation, and South Africa’s tobacco industry has warned that the national lockdown regulations banning the sale of cigarettes could turn the country’s 11-million smokers into criminals. Such strategies will counter the tobacco industry’s strategies to negate government tobacco control efforts. smoking: Implications for smoking cessation, International Society for the Prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases. Council, Pretoria, South Africa, Department of Public In addition, resources to help tobacco users quit, or assist them to cope with withdrawals, should be made available and accessible. doi:10.18332/tid/119324. 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