Ban on alcohol and cigarettes in South Africa

[ToxicBunny]

Piss poor form BATSA...

 

[Veroland]

BAT are bowing out

SA's largest cigarette company drops proposed legal action against tobacco ban | Business

British American Tobacco South Africa has a 78% share in the legal cigarette market.

www.fin24.com

We are F*cked

 

[Nanfeishen]

BAT are bowing out

SA's largest cigarette company drops proposed legal action against tobacco ban | Business

British American Tobacco South Africa has a 78% share in the legal cigarette market.

www.fin24.com

One has to wonder who's palms were greased on that decision,

 

[Prawnapple]

We are F*cked

Define, "we"

 

[MiW]

We are F*cked

BATSA said it has received a response to a letter sent at the end of April to the National Command Council, and was "convinced that by working together we can find a better solution that works for all South Africans and removes the threat of criminal sanction from 11 million tobacco consumers in the country".

 

[Dan C]

We are F*cked

Why ? Did you read the whole article ?

 

[MiW]

One has to wonder who's palms were greased on that decision,

I think they realized cigarettes will be allowed , Before the courts get to hear them.

 

[R13...]

One has to wonder who's palms were greased on that decision,

I think they just want to avoid antagonizing government. They have elected to instead engage.

 

[Veroland]

Why ? Did you read the whole article ?

Do you really think this is anything else than the goverment just buying time again. They have no inclination to work with BAT in my opinion

 

[lived666]

We are F*cked

I think discussions were made behind closed doors, a few palms greased, and soon you will be able to once again legally destroy your lungs, tastebuds and kill yourself slowly.

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

I think they just want to avoid antagonizing government. They have elected to instead engage.

Because engagement has worked so well in the past...

Well if BAT want to screw themselves, let them be...

 

[Urist]

We were naughty children over Christmas, so we summoned Krampus in a hat.
That's why we can't have nice things

 

[Veroland]

I think discussions were made behind closed doors, a few palms greased, and soon you will be able to once again legally destroy your lungs, tastebuds and kill yourself slowly.

Soon? As in level 1. Sorry, I've lost all hope as far working with NDZ and her cronies are concerned but I really hope I am wrong.

 

[R13...]

Because engagement has worked so well in the past...

Well if BAT want to screw themselves, let them be...

It may work - besides which, litigation is costly and government can use our money to frustrate the process so long that by the time you get a favourable ruling the point has become moot. The ANC are unfortunately too arrogant to admit a wrong so the only way forward is an approach such as this.

 

[Nanfeishen]

I think they realized cigarettes will be allowed , Before the courts get to hear them.

Sorry, i dont have your amount of faith in the fasciste allowing sales any time soon.

 

[borro]

National Command Council.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I am disappointed in BAT for backing down, but at the same time, if they've received some form of communication from the NCC that indicates the likelihood of cigarette sales being allowed before a court would get through the process then it is understandable.

I would guess that whatever communication they received would have been a bit more concrete than a "We will think about allowing it" though... BAT are not stupid, and they would only back down if they had something concrete. Its either that, or the government response plainly told them they would fight everything to the bitter end and that could take a year or more and be entirely pointless anyway.

 

[MiW]

Coming soon to South Africa

India imposes 70% 'corona tax' on alcohol to deter large crowds

Officials in India's capital imposed a special tax of 70% on retail liquor purchases from Tuesday, to deter large gatherings at stores as authorities ease a six-week lockdown imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

www.iol.co.za

 

[MiW]

Tinfoil hat on.

Maybe ANC was doing experiment to see how much you can charge for a box of cigarettes , before people decide to quit?

 

[koeks525]

Yip, the letter must have outlined when the sale of cigarettes (and possibly alcohol) would be reintroduced. No ways Pretoria can say they don't feel the drop in sin tax revenue. Let the flood gates open; those billions in rands will be needed.

EDIT: I hope they don't add additional tax on the wine