
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 |
|
|||
April 09, 2020 |
‘No Alcohol For 6 Months’ – Botswana Sets Out Tough Regulations For Lockdown |
Banned sales for 6 months |
cigarettes |
April 06, 2020 |
Lobbied to stop sales of tobacco products |
tobacco products |
|
|
|||
March 30, 2020 |
Two COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Kahnawake, tobacco sales halted |
Prohibited tobacco sales until further notice |
tobacco products |
|
|||
September 27, 2020 |
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 |
Banned sales |
tobacco and gutka (chew tobacco) |
|
March 25, 2020 |
Yogi Adityanath government is mulling a ban |
paan masala and gutkha (chew tobacco) |
|
|
|||
May 3, 2020 |
prevent the use of “hookah” in cafes |
Waterpipe (Hookah) |
|
|
|||
April 24, 2020 |
Congress prohibits use and sale of electronic cigarettes in Coahuila |
Prohibited use and sale of e-cigarettes |
electronic cigarettes |
|
|||
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 |
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 |
|
|||
April 03, 2020 |
Designation of tobacco as a non-essential product; shortage of supply |
tobacco products |
|
|
|||
March 01, 2020 |
Coronavirus: Lead tobacco is banned in cafes and restaurants |
Banned in cafes and restaurants |
waterpipe tobacco (sisha) |
|
|||
January 05, 2021 |
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 |
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 |
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 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 |
“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 |
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 |
|
|||
March 13, 2020 |
Banned in cafes and restaurants |
waterpipe tobacco (sisha) |
|
|
|||
March 12, 2020 |
Banned in cafes |
waterpipe tobacco (sisha) |
|
March 12, 2020 |
Banned in cafes restaurants, and hotels |
waterpipe tobacco (sisha) |
|
March 11, 2020 |
Banned in hotels |
waterpipe tobacco (sisha) |
|
|
|||
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 |
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 |
Demand Vape lobbied to temporary ban the sale of cigarette |
cigarette products |
Opposed the bans/regulations
Date |
Title |
Status |
Type |
Industry Link |
|
||||
April 09, 2020 |
Expenditure on COVID-19 highlights the government’s disregard for smokers |
Government not supporting vaping |
vape products |
|
|
||||
May 20, 2020 |
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 |
||
|
||||
March 21, 2020 |
Lobbied to open vape shops and consider as essential service |
vape products |
||
European Union |
||||
March 26, 2020 |
COVID-19 Update: Some EU Countries Allow Vape Shops to Remain Open |
Opened vape shops |
vape products |
|
|
||||
March 17, 2020 |
A Scientist Persuaded Italy to Exempt Vape Shops from COVID-19 Lockdown |
Lobbied to open vape shops during lockdown |
vape products |
|
|
||||
March 25, 2020 |
Demand for “clemency of smokers” |
cigarettes |
|
|
|
||||
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 |
|
|
||||
July 04, 2020 |
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 |
||
July 02, 2020 |
Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, challenged the ban in court and lost |
tobacco products |
||
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 |
|
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 |
|
June 26, 2020 |
“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 |
||
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 |
|
June 25, 2020 |
“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) |
|
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 |
|
May 06, 2020 |
“British American Tobacco Plc will begin negotiations with the South African government instead of taking legal action” |
tobacco products |
||
May 02, 2020 |
Tobacco industry have threatened legal action after the government’s Level 4 national lockdown |
tobacco products |
||
April 25, 2020 |
Lift ban on the sale of cigarettes that will come into effect on May 1 |
tobacco products |
||
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 |
|
April 18, 2020 |
Covid-19: Tobacco association plans to challenge cigarette ban |
FITA approached the courts for relief on the cigarette ban |
tobacco products |
|
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 |
|
|
||||
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.