Economists behind an extensive survey of smokers say the lockdown ban on cigarette sales has been a spectacular failure and should be lifted as soon as possible.
, members of the University of Cape Town's research unit on the economics of excisable products said the ban had:Caused"hyperinflation" in which cigarette prices"skyrocketed" by 4.4% a day;
Undone the progress the South African Revenue Service had made in stamping out illegal cigarettes and given illicit traders a foothold"where they previously could not compete on a quality basis"; Our results indicate that 90% of smokers had stocked up on cigarettes before the start of the lockdown "While most acknowledged that smoking is bad for their health, they felt that the sudden imposition of the sales ban, without any cessation support, caused them mental health problems because they were unable to smoke.
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