No cigarette ban for Nam

Kenya Kambowe

RUNDU



Namibian smokers can breathe a sigh of relief: The sale of cigarettes and tobacco products will not be banned.

This is according to health minister Kalumbi Shangula, who assured that the country will not 'copy' neighbours South Africa.

Shangula was responding to questions on why Namibia did not implement a cigarette ban to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

This is after the World Health Organisation released a number of statements saying that smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to the deadly virus.

However, Shangula argued that Namibia is a unitary state and that it will make decisions that are in the interest of its people and which will not disadvantage the economy of the country.



Alcohol a bigger risk

On the booze ban, Shangula said alcohol consumption affects people's judgement, which will increase the risk of them engaging in activities that can spread the virus.

“When you are drinking, you start dancing, hugging and talking to a person right into their face, so the risk of transmission is very high,” the minister said.

Cigarettes, he added, do not pose this risk.

“Every country takes its own decisions depending on the circumstances,” Shangula said.

“South Africa has banned cigarettes and we did not. Namibia has banned alcohol, Angola not. Everyone considers in their country what is the risk.



Announcement pending

Meanwhile, with South Africa entering stage three of the state of emergency in June, the neighbouring country will allow the controlled sale of alcohol.

However, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated that the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products will remain banned.

President Hage Geingob is yet to announce whether Namibia will indeed move out of stage two, which is expected to come to an end on 1 June.