SA Government attempts to delay cigarette ban court case

Published Jun 3, 2020

Share

DURBAN – The cigarette and tobacco ban in South Africa has landed the South African government in several legal cases. Government has recently made a second attempt to delay the hearing of its first legal challenge against the cigarette ban in the country.

Due to the cigarette and tobacco ban, the South African government has been facing an increase in the number of court cases which are related to the national lockdown and are challenging the cigarette and tobacco ban.

One of the legal challenges was brought forward by British American Tobacco SA (BATSA) and supported by the Japan Tobacco International and other tobacco representing organisations within South Africa, at the Western Cape High Court. BATSA wants the government’s ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to be declared unconstitutional and invalid by the court.

After a failed attempt to postpone the hearing of the Fita cigarette ban, by State attorney Arista Wasserman, in the high court in Pretoria, Wasserman made a second appeal to judge president Dunstan Mlambo. The matter is due to be heard in court between June 9 and 10 before judge Mlambo and two other judges.

For LIVE updates on the Coronavirus pandemic, follow us on Twitter: