The Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPSA) says government is making a fundamental error by equating electronic vapour products with cigarettes in terms of the level three lockdown regulations.
The remarks come after Sunday’s address by president Cyril Ramaphosa, who announced SA will move to alert level three of COVID-19 lockdown with effect from 1 June – with more sectors of the economy opening and the removal of a number of restrictions on the movement of people.
“Alcohol may be sold for home consumption only under strict conditions, on specified days and for limited hours,” Ramaphosa said.
However, he noted the sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited in alert level three due to the health risks associated with smoking.
“As president Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a further blow to smokers and vapers with the extension of the tobacco ban in the level three lockdown, the government missed another critical opportunity to offer South Africans a cigarette substitute that is a proven harm-reduction alternative – and correct the misconception that equates electronic vapour products (EVPs) with cigarettes,” says Asanda Gcoyi, CEO of VPASA.
E-cigarettes are handheld battery-powered vaporisers, and instead of cigarette smoke, the user inhales vapour.
“EVPs and cigarettes are fundamentally different – users inhale vapour rather than smoke,” Gcoyi says.
“Yet, despite the scientific difference between the two methods of nicotine delivery, proponents of the ban have conflated the two without consideration for the long-term damage to the country’s tobacco harm reduction agenda.”
VPASA also questions government’s reliance on data, which suggests smokers are more likely to require ventilators should they be hospitalised after contracting COVID-19, to support the decision on the blanket ban.
“They proffer that the scientific community is not unanimous in that view. A recent peer-reviewed study suggests current smokers are less likely to be hospitalised when testing positive for COVID-19, and that nicotine may offer potential protection against the disease,” the organisation says.
It is appealing to the authorities to rethink the inclusion of EVPs in the tobacco ban if they are to save a sector that was once projected to create up to 14 500 jobs by 2025, but which now faces a crisis of potential widespread bankruptcies and unemployment.
“The Vapour Products Association of South Africa is extremely disappointed at government’s ongoing decision to equate EVPs with cigarettes in terms of the extension of the tobacco ban in level three of the lockdown,” Gcoyi says.
“As the flourishing illicit tobacco trade during levels five and four has shown, the majority of smokers are either unable or unwilling to kick the habit. We once again appeal to the government to rethink the inclusion of EVPs in the tobacco ban. If implemented correctly – as with other online trade – these sales will resolve the issue of people congregating unnecessarily and stave off the creation and trade of home-made and black-market products.
“Arguably most importantly, such a rethink will avert the potential closure of close to 500 vapour SMEs across South Africa, along with the loss of as many as 10 000 direct and indirect jobs,” Gcoyi concludes.
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