Experts and policy makers have actively raised awareness about how smokers and vapers should quit outright as a precautionary/ preventive measure during the pandemic. Some governments have temporarily banned or restricted sales of tobacco, vaping products, and waterpipes, or categorized these as non-essential products; and this effectively, in a pragmatic way, rolls practically all the global tobacco treaty’s demand-reduction-measures into one. The public health community urges smokers to quit to prevent exacerbating COVID risks but the tobacco and vaping industry, aggressively promotes and even incentivizes stocking up on its products; lobbies against any restrictions to the extent of reportedly endangering the lives its own workers.

Date	Title	Status	Type
Bangladesh
May 5, 2020	Should tobacco products be banned during the coronavirus crisis?	20 anti-tobacco organizations demanded a temporary ban on the production, distribution, and sales of tobacco during the Covid-19 crisis	tobacco products
April 08, 2020	Ban cigarette sale during pandemic 20 anti-tobacco organizations demand ban on tobacco goods manufacturing, sale	Lobbied for temporary ban on tobacco manufacturing and sale	tobacco products
Botswana
April 09, 2020	‘No Alcohol For 6 Months’ – Botswana Sets Out Tough Regulations For Lockdown	Banned sales for 6 months	cigarettes
April 06, 2020	Botswana: ATN Advocates For Tobacco Ban	Lobbied to stop sales of tobacco products	tobacco products
Canada
March 30, 2020	Two COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Kahnawake, tobacco sales halted	Prohibited tobacco sales until further notice	tobacco products
India
September 27, 2020	Sale of loose cigarettes, bidis banned in state	The State Health Department has issued a notification	Loose bidis and cigarettes
May 22, 2020	Voluntary groups in Rajasthan seek complete ban on tobacco products	demand for a complete ban on sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and tobacco products	tobacco products
April 15, 2020	Lockdown 2.0: Govt bans sale of booze and tobacco	Banned sales	tobacco and gutka (chew tobacco)
March 25, 2020	Yogi govt mulls ban on paan masala, gutkha	Yogi Adityanath government is mulling a ban	paan masala and gutkha (chew tobacco)
Kuwait
May 3, 2020	Officially … the municipality prohibits “hookah” in cafes until further notice … in implementation of the “health” decision	prevent the use of “hookah” in cafes	Waterpipe (Hookah)
Mexico
April 24, 2020	Congress prohibits use and sale of electronic cigarettes in Coahuila	Prohibited use and sale of e-cigarettes	electronic cigarettes
Philippines
April 27, 2020	Ban on sin products to stay despite negative tax impact: DOF	Against lifting the ban on alcoholic and tobacco products during the enhanced community quarantine	tobacco products
April 21, 2020	Cigarette smuggling up despite lockdown	Restrictions on the movement of cigarettes under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) might be lifted	cigarette products
March 29, 2020	Quezon town temporarily bans cigarettes amid COVID-19 threat	Temporary ban	cigarettes products
Russia
April 03, 2020	Russian smokers facing COLD TURKEY withdrawal as tobacco deemed non-essential item in Covid-19 crisis	Designation of tobacco as a non-essential product; shortage of supply	tobacco products
Saudi Arabia
March 01, 2020	Coronavirus: Lead tobacco is banned in cafes and restaurants	Banned in cafes and restaurants	waterpipe tobacco (sisha)
South Africa
January 05, 2021	South Africa Appeal Against Tobacco Ruling Raises Ban Fears	South Africa’s government is appealing a court ruling that last year’s ban on the sale of tobacco products was unconstitutional	Tobacco products
January 29, 2021	Tobacco ban case set to continue on 15 February	Ban to continue beyond 15 February 2021	Tobacco
February 17, 2021	Government’s spectacular cigarette ban fail: billions of rands lost – and hardly anyone quit smoking	Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma argued that the ban eased the burden on hospitals and reduced the prospect of contagion from cigarette sharing. In response, critics highlighted an explosion in black-market sales and a slump in tax revenue for the National Treasury. In August, Dlamini-Zuma agreed to hold a public participation process should she decide to reinstate a ban on tobacco sales, as part of a settlement of a separate lawsuit brought by fair trade body, FITA. In the latest legal action, the Western Cape High Court is now set to rule on government’s leave to appeal a December 2020 judgement which found the lockdown ban on tobacco sales unconstitutional and invalid.	Cigarettes
February 16, 2021	Tobacco industry argues Dlamini-Zuma’s bid to appeal adverse ruling on the ban is fatally flawed	The Western Cape High Court will decide without delay whether to grant the government leave to appeal its December ruling that found last year’s ban on tobacco sales unconstitutional and invalid, Judge Tandazwa Ndita said on Monday after hearing arguments in the matter. Should the minister be denied leave to appeal by the high court, she could directly petition the supreme court.	Cigarettes
August 7, 2020	Coronavirus morning update: ‘Not yet safe to lift cigarette ban’, and extra R6bn for Covid grants	The Government is monitoring the situation closely and will lift the ban as soon as it is safe to do so and (when it) would not impact the health care system.	Cigarettes
August 5, 2020	Tobacco giant challenges government’s Covid-19 strategy	A Court ruling under the Disaster Management Act bans the sale of tobacco during Covid-19 lockdown	Cigarettes
July 5, 2020	Sifiso Skenjana \| The 100-day cigarette ban: A story of Trojans, bone collectors and chances	“100 days since the lockdown and the effective banning of the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products in South Africa”	tobacco products
July 2, 2020	Ban gives tobacco illegal drug status in South Africa	“ban remains even after South Africa eased most of its strict lockdown restrictions”	tobacco products
July 1, 2020	Controversy swirls around Western Cape JP over tobacco challenge	“The decision to ban tobacco products was, as explained by the Minister, taken with reference to the South Africa context and its preparedness to deal with the COVID-19 virus,” Mlambo stated.	tobacco products
June 29, 2020	Challenge to Cigarette Ban Dismissed	“The fact that a substance is addictive does not render it essential,” it stated. “We therefore find no basis on which to interpret the level 5 regulations as permitting the sale of tobacco products.”	tobacco products
June 28, 2020	Covid-19 SA cases rise, world hits 10m; NDZ wins tobacco ban case; Zimbabwe; Steinhoff	“The government has won a legal battle challenging a ban on tobacco sales in the country”	tobacco products
June 26, 2020	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association v President of the Republic of South Africa and Another (21688/2020) [2020] ZAGPPHC 246 (26 June 2020)	“The application by Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association is dismissed with costs, such costs to include the costs of three counsel.”	tobacco products
June 26, 2020	South Africa tobacco ban greeted with cigarette smuggling boom	“South Africa and Zimbabwe have stepped up border patrols in a bid to stop cigarette smuggling”	tobacco products
June 26, 2020	Court orders tobacco ban to stay in place: ‘Cigarettes are not essential’	“sale of tobacco products would remain banned under the government’s lockdown regulations”	tobacco products
June 23, 2020	Illegal cigarette trade may reduce economic harm of tobacco ban – govt in court papers	“retaining the temporary ban is that emerging research supports the view that smoking leads to more severe cases of Covid-19, and that the ban is necessary as a precautionary measure to safeguard South Africa’s healthcare system. “	tobacco products
April 29, 2020	Lockdown \| Cigarettes, liquor still won’t be for sale on Level 4	Cigarettes will still not be allowed to be sold at level four of lockdown	tobacco products
April 27, 2020	Why the cigarette ban during lockdown? Five medical experts weigh in	Continued ban on cigarette sales during lockdown	tobacco products
March 26, 2020	Why you can’t have cigarettes and alcohol during lockdown	Tobacco deemed “non-essential” during the 21-day lockdown period	tobacco products
March 26, 2020	Coronavirus in SA: Sale of cigarettes prohibited during 21-day lockdown	Prohibited tobacco sale	tobacco products
Syria
March 13, 2020	Syria bans shisha, closes schools over virus fears	Banned in cafes and restaurants	waterpipe tobacco (sisha)
United Arab Emirates
March 12, 2020	Coronavirus: Dubai bans shisha pipes with immediate effect	Banned in cafes	waterpipe tobacco (sisha)
March 12, 2020	Shisha banned in the UAE over coronavirus fears	Banned in cafes restaurants, and hotels	waterpipe tobacco (sisha)
March 11, 2020	Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi hotels banned from serving shisha	Banned in hotels	waterpipe tobacco (sisha)
USA
March 31, 20202	Office of the Governor \| State of Wisconsin: Safer at Home FAQs	Vape, smoking, and cigar shops listed as non-essential business and must close (and cannot provide delivery)	vape, cigarette, and cigar
March 27, 2020	Docs Group Asks For Smoking, Vaping Ban	New York State Academy of Family Physicians lobbied to ban the sale of all tobacco and vaping products	tobacco and vape products
March 26, 2020	Vape Advocate Calls for Temporary Ban of Cigarette Sales	Demand Vape lobbied to temporary ban the sale of cigarette	cigarette products

Opposed the bans/regulations

Date	Title	Status	Type	Industry Link
Australia
April 09, 2020	Expenditure on COVID-19 highlights the government’s disregard for smokers	Government not supporting vaping	vape products	Australian Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA)
Bangladesh
May 20, 2020	Industries Ministry rejects tobacco ban proposal	The Ministry of Industries has turned down a call from the Health and Family Welfare Ministry seeking a ban of tobacco products in the country	tobacco products	British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh
Canada
March 21, 2020	CVA Calls on Canadian Governments to Follow Italy’s Example and Ensure Adult Access Vape Shops Are Considered an Essential Service	Lobbied to open vape shops and consider as essential service	vape products	Canadian Vaping Association
European Union
March 26, 2020	COVID-19 Update: Some EU Countries Allow Vape Shops to Remain Open	Opened vape shops	vape products	UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA)
Italy
March 17, 2020	A Scientist Persuaded Italy to Exempt Vape Shops from COVID-19 Lockdown	Lobbied to open vape shops during lockdown	vape products	Riccardo Polosa
Jordan
March 25, 2020	A cigarette in the time of Corona, “Saud” calls for the release of the compliant “clemency of smokers” and Batinah statement raises an uproar within the government	Demand for “clemency of smokers”	cigarettes
New Zealand
April 01, 2020	New Zealand Initiative Criticises Government For Rushing New Vaping Legislation During Lockdown	Protest on Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendments Bill	vape products and snus
South Africa
July 04, 2020	Fita determined to go ahead with fight against tobacco ban	The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) hasn’t given up on its fight to have the ban on the sale of cigarettes lifted.	tobacco products	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA)
July 02, 2020	Virus ban gives tobacco illegal drug status in South Africa	Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, challenged the ban in court and lost	tobacco products	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA)
July 01, 2020	Why BAT SA’s cigarette ban challenge is not the same as Fita’s failed bid	“Mike Evans, the lawyer representing BAT SA and others who have joined the action headed for a full bench of the Cape High Court, said there are different arguments at stake.”	tobacco products	British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA)
June 27, 2020	Scientist says there are more merits in banning alcohol than tobacco	“Isn’t much merit in preventing the sale of cigarettes but allowing people to buy alcohol”	tobacco products
June 26, 2020	Govt lawyers in sudden about-turn, get court to delay cigarette case until August	“BATSA immediately wrote a letter of protest against the postponement”	tobacco products	British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA)
June 26, 2020	South Africa’s cigarette sales ban case is ‘inexplicably’ being pushed back to August: British American Tobacco	“Postponing a case that has been agreed, by both sides, to be urgent is something that we believe is unprecedented and is very worrying.”	tobacco products	British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA)
June 25, 2020	SA’s biggest cigarette maker is now accepting orders – and some stores hope for 1 July delivery	“British American Tobacco, has started accepting “holding orders” from its customers”	tobacco products	British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA)
June 25, 2020	New cigarette ban petition takes aim at judges in Fita case	“To force people to go ‘cold turkey’ is an act of cruelty,” Arnold Subel SC, for Fita	tobacco products	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) Japan Tobacco International
May 07, 2020	Japan Tobacco International urges SA government to reconsider tobacco ban during lockdown level 4	Demand to reconsider tobacco ban during lockdown level 4	tobacco products	Japan Tobacco International
May 06, 2020	BAT drops plan to sue over cigarette-sales ban	“British American Tobacco Plc will begin negotiations with the South African government instead of taking legal action”	tobacco products	British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA)
May 02, 2020	Tobacco big guns on fire over cigarette ban	Tobacco industry have threatened legal action after the government’s Level 4 national lockdown	tobacco products	British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA)
April 25, 2020	Tobacco industry welcomes end to cigarette sales ban	Lift ban on the sale of cigarettes that will come into effect on May 1	tobacco products	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA)
April 21, 2020	Tobacco group wants state to explain cigarette ban, or face the courts	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) said ban was based on ministerial comments and not on regulations	tobacco products	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA)
April 18, 2020	Covid-19: Tobacco association plans to challenge cigarette ban	FITA approached the courts for relief on the cigarette ban	tobacco products	Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA)
April 03, 2020	Alan Winde: We’re not defying government on cigarettes … the rules are ‘vague’	Lobbied on cigarettes not included in the list of basic goods	tobacco products
USA
March 23, 2020	States must scrap online e-cigarette bans during coronavirus pandemic	Calling to remove online e-cigarette bans	electronic cigarettes

Do you have information on tobacco industry’s tactics during COVID-19? Let us know. Send us any information at ggtc@ggtc.world or submit here.