As the world observes World No Tobacco day on May 31, Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize will host a meeting on tobacco control in SA.
The minister will highlight the theme of #tobaccoexposed and discuss various topics surrounding tobacco and nicotine use in South Africa.
Government is still under pressure to lift the ban on cigarette sales during the nationwide lockdown but no revision of tobacco regulations has been announced.
Health Minister @DrZweliMkhize will host a virtual meeting on Tobacco Control in South Africa #WorldNoTobaccoDay2020 pic.twitter.com/yx4PR5nsrI
— GCIS Media Liaison (@GCISMedia) May 30, 2020
Next week Tuesday, June 2, activists across the country are planning to protest against tobacco remaining banned under Level 3 regulations.
The protest will take place in a number of provinces and will continue until the government announces that the ban is dropped.
According to the founder, Duncan Napier, the risk is far higher for people to be able to meet in churches than it is for people who smoke and because of this and other reasons, the continued ban doesn’t make sense. He is calling the nation to join his peaceful march but still remain aware of the virus.
“From level 3 people are allowed to gather inside churches, my logic tells me the contagion risk is far higher inside an enclosed building. South Africa this is a peaceful march, we must not cluster in groups but line up at least 1.2 meters apart in single file formation. We must mask up, wear long sleeve shirts and pants,” he said.
Also read:
Nationwide protest against tobacco ban planned for June
Picture: Twitter