The South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) has launched a national campaign to draw attention to the massive number of livelihoods that are at risk if government continues with its ban on the sale of cigarettes during the COVID-19 lockdown.
More than 296 000 people rely on the free flow of activity across the tobacco value chain for their livelihoods. Their jobs, and those of their dependents, have been directly threatened by the ban on cigarettes sales, which has been in place for the past 110+ days.
It is totally unacceptable that a legitimate, taxpaying business sector should be taking to the brink of ruin in such a way and we call on government to immediately lift the ban and allow cigarettes to be sold in the same way as before the lockdown.
Our campaign unites tobacco workers, farmers, processors and manufacturers alongside retailers – large, small and micro – all calling on government to #LiftTheBanSA and #SaveOurJobs. The campaign is being run across social, digital and print media. More details are available at https://www.lifttheban.org
#LiftTheBanSA #SaveOurJobs
For more information, contact:
Khabo Hlatshwayo: 083 507 7548
Follow SATTA on twitter @TTASouthAfrica
