It is understandable that tobacco and nicotine product users will be dealing with the mental stress of restricted movements in addition to giving up their addictions, but of more importance is that they become aware that the lockdown ban provides a good opportunity to quit tobacco use. Tobacco and nicotine products were designated as non-essential goods and their sales prohibited. The government has received criticism from some pro-tobacco advocates and academics for the sales ban on tobacco products and alcohol during the lockdown10, but this move is heroic and should be viewed as taking a double shot at protecting citizens from COVID-19, given the vulnerability of many South Africans to the disease. PloS One. Botswana has a very high smoking rate of 18% – 27% of males and 9% of females currently use tobacco. Countries should take their lead from the global health body. To the best of my knowledge Botswana and neighbouring South Africa are the only countries to have done so. There was no source of funding for this research. At a time when COVID-19 is gripping the world, the pandemic should encourage countries to kickstart programmes and policies that encourage smokers to quit. A sign assures people that the bar is open during the coronavirus outbreak, outside a pub in Stockholm, Sweden. SA has one of the highest prevalence of tobacco product use in Africa5 and presently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the continent, putting the country at risk of being hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic if nothing is done to curb the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable citizens. This is a list of smoking bans by country.Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces.Legislation may also, in some cases, restrict the carrying or possessing of any lit tobacco … Pretoria, South Africa, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NDoH, Stats SA, SAMRC, and ICF; 2019. The prohibition and the response have attracted global headlines. Cardiovascular Effects of Secondhand Smoke. The ban… A survey done in South Africa of how smokers are coping with the ban on cigarette sales during lockdown confirms how difficult it is for smokers once they are caught in addiction. The country has banned imports and sales of tobacco or tobacco-related products along with other emergency regulations during the country’s declared six-month state of public emergency. 1,845 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa, with deaths up to 18. There are also concerns about the implications on mental health when people are forced to give up their addictions during the lockdown10. 2015;10(7). "Indications are that the ban on the sale of tobacco products will be extended beyond Level 4 of lockdown and into Level 1," he warned. implications, The Social and Environmental Implications of the Novel Coronavirus on Institutional and Community Corrections in South Africa, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other smoking is associated with increased severity of disease and death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. As of 8 April 2020, SA had conducted 63776 COVID-19 tests, had 1845 confirmed cases and 18 resulting deaths6. The money is going directly into the pocket of criminals," a South Africa anti-crime campaigner says. Dear Editor, South Africa (SA) imposed a 21-day lockdown from 26 March to 16 April 2020, through the disaster management Act (57/2002) and amended regulations [Section 27(2)]1, to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country. The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Circulation. These actions disregard existing law prohibiting the advertising and promotion of tobacco products in Botswana. Pretoria, South Africa, The impact of COVID-19 on the WHO FCTC, cessation, and In late March, in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the South African government banned the sale of tobacco and alcohol as part of a broad … Botswana needs to jump on to this opportunity. Dear Editor, South Africa (SA) imposed a 21-day lockdown from 26 March to 16 April 2020, through the disaster management Act (57/2002) and amended regulations [Section 27(2)] 1, to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country.During the lockdown only essential goods have been allowed on sale 2.Tobacco and nicotine products were designated as non-essential goods and their sales prohibited. South Africa’s lockdown began March 27, and the country banned the sale of cigarettes and cooked food. Never before have smokers had this kind of opportunity to quit. South Africa’s tobacco industry has warned that the national lockdown regulations banning the sale of cigarettes could turn the country’s 11-million smokers into criminals. Move to a district-based lockdown. Along with the measures to ban tobacco imports and sales, governments have the opportunity to provide smokers with treatments to help them. 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