Small traders warn that banning single cigarette sales under new tobacco laws could threaten their livelihoods.
Informal traders say their livelihoods are being threatened by proposed new tobacco laws.
Under the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, the sale of single cigarettes would be banned.
The Portfolio Committee on Health recently heard from a small traders organisation in Parliament, who said the move would cripple them.
They argue that many customers who buy single cigarettes also purchase other items too.
But Ucko says the argument is not an accurate one.
"It is preposterous to suggest that a shop, or any business will go insolvent because they are banned from selling single cigarettes, because they can still sell boxes."
- Peter Ucko, Executive Director of the Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG)
Ucko argues that selling loose cigarettes is ultimately bad for the fiscus.
It keeps more people addicted, he says, which in turn means those people eventually become a burden on the health system as a result of smoking-related health issues.
"If the smoker who wants a cigarette and only has enough money for a single cigarette can't get that single cigarette, time goes by and the craving goes away."
- Peter Ucko, Executive Director of the Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG)
"So [the ban] is, in fact, good for addiction and for breaking the habits."
- Peter Ucko, Executive Director of the Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG)
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Updated: June 2025
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