Also, the ban would mean that a “sizeable number of South Africans” would quit smoking once the lockdown comes to an end - with the “poor and youth ... particularly likely to quit”.
In addition, she said a report by the Human Sciences Research Council indicated that 88% of smokers were not able to buy cigarettes during level 5 lockdown, suggesting that the temporary ban was effective in reducing access to cigarettes and usage thereof.
She said the health-care system, including health workers, had to be protected and prevented from being overburdened and overwhelmed. Dlamini-Zuma said as tobacco use was known to lead to respiratory diseases, and Covid-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, it was logical to proceed on the basis that tobacco use might lead to increased risks in relation to Covid-19.
“Smokers have higher ICU admissions, higher need for ventilation and a higher mortality rate than non-smokers.”“In poorer communities, people are more likely to share cigarettes, hookah pipes, zols, skyf, and/or lighters and matchboxes. This can increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission in communal and social settings due to lack of social distancing and sharing infected saliva.”
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