The ban on cigarettes sales has slowed the spread of Covid-19 and will ease pressure on the health system, a panel of experts found.
A study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa found that while illicit cigarettes continued to be sold, a majority of smokers had no access to them, leading to a number of gains against the pandemic.
“The majority of smokers, 88%, were not able to buy cigarettes during lockdown, suggesting the ban was efficient in reducing cigarette access and use,” the study found. “Those who were able to buy cigarettes during the ban had a significantly higher chance of coming into contact with people outside their homes at 26% than 10% of those who did not.
Given that smokers experience more serious Covid-19 outcomes than non-smokers, Sewpaul said SA needs to be aware of the serious risks to which smoking exposes them should they contract the virus.
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