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Banning the sale of cigarettes has slowed the spread of Covid-19 and will ease pressure on the health system, according to a panel of experts.
A study by the South African Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) found that while illicit cigarettes continued to be sold, most smokers did not have access to them, leading to a series of gains against the pandemic.
The study results were presented at a webinar organized on Friday by Professor Mosa Moshabela of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who discussed the national debate on smoking and Covid-19 and whether there was evidence to support the ban.
“The majority of smokers, 88%, were unable to purchase cigarettes during lockdown, suggesting that the ban was efficient in reducing cigarette access and use,” the study found.
Presenting data collected over two weeks from smokers across the country, HRSC statistician Ronel Sewpaul said that, based on the research results, the study found that cigarette buyers were in close physical contact with people outside their households more frequently than nonsmokers, suggesting less than optimal social distancing, a key component in avoiding contracting the virus.
“Those who were able to buy cigarettes during the ban were 26% significantly more likely to come into contact with people outside their homes than 10% of those who were not.
“Those who continue to buy cigarettes also came into contact with at least 10 people outside their home compared to those who did not,” said Sewpaul.
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