Min Dlamini-Zuma: it’s “expected that a sizable number” of SAfricans will “stop smoking and remain quit after the lockdown” - as a result of higher prices/restricted access to tobacco caused by cigarette ban.
Poor and youth “particularly likely to quit”
https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2020-05-27-tobacco-ban-expected-to-create-a-nation-of-quitters-dlamini-zuma-says/

Dlamini-Zuma argues in court papers that best way to deal with illicit cigarette trade is by curbing demand.
“If fewer South Africans smoke, then the consumer demand for illicit cigarettes will fall and this will be accomplished by a decline in the illicit trade.” #CigaretteBan

Dlamini-Zuma argues: If 1% of the 8 mill SA smokers were to contract COVID-19, 80000 smokers would be infected
“If an estimated 10% were to need ICU this would translate to about 8000 people needing ICU hospital beds, ventilators”
Currently, 4000 ventilators available, she says

Minister says studies “done so far” have produced evidence that “the use of tobacco products increases not only the risk of transmission of COVID-19, but also the risk of contracting a more severe form of the disease”.
This increases strain on the public health system, she says

These are summaries of the studies that Minister Dlamini-Zuma says informed the cigarette ban decision: