South Africa is currently the only country in the world that has a tobacco ban in place amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas once Michelle could go to her local shop in South Africa's commercial hub, Johannesburg, to buy cigarettes she is now having to do a secret deal. George Maluleka smokes a cigarette at Nkowankowa Township during national lockdown on April 27, 2020 in Tzaneen, South Africa. This is not the first challenge to the ban since it came into effect back in March. The illegal cigarette market cost South Africa R8bn in lost taxes last year. Last week, South Africa was positioned into Level 3 laws, due to rising COVID-19 infections. More than half a million people have added their names to an online petition calling for the government to change its mind. The cigarette ban, on the other hand, is an emergency measure that will last, at the extreme, around 18-24 months – the estimated vaccine development period. Dr Egbe is one of the scientists who has publicly supported tobacco ban. What was perfectly legal two months... Cigarette dealers could spread coronavirus. There has also been an increase in "requests for support to join our WhatsApp group, which provides 30 days of support, tips and messages to smokers who want to stop smoking". Peter, 38, from Beitbridge, who has been selling illegal cigarettes for more than five years, said the South African ban had presented a huge opportunity for many in the business. Smokers were denied the opportunity to buy cigarettes in shops, instead, they … ", South Africa minister embraces cannabis video meme, Funeral pyres in parks as virus grips Delhi. In the last financial year, South Africa's tax collecting agency raised about $790m (£650m) from tobacco sales. "I average two cigarettes a day now, whereas before the average was six or seven. I am even failing to meet the demand, these are exciting times,” he told the Guardian. The illicit trade in cigarettes in South Africa is now in full swing after the sale of tobacco was banned at the end of March as part of strict measures imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus, as the BBC's Pumza Fihlani reports. On 23 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a national address that tobacco sales would be allowed as the country eased lockdown restrictions for the first time. in government revenue from smoking last financial year, Source: SA Demographic and Health Survey 2016, Sars, Funeral pyres in parks as Covid grips Delhi, Second Jackson accuser sees lawsuit dismissed, US state gives young people $100 to get vaccinated, Israel committing crime of apartheid - HRW, Chomping beavers take down Canada town's internet, Africa didn't dither but faces long coronavirus fight, Why Africans should take part in Covid-19 vaccine trials, Night burials amid Tanzania's coronavirus defiance. 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