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#SmokersProtest to take the fight to the steps of Government

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On Saturday, 4 July 2020, the founders of the politically-focused, turned activist group, Dear Mr President (DMP), Nj Hourquebie and Janine MacLean, will lead a protest gathering in front of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, starting at midday. The protest is to draw attention to the plight of ordinary South Africans under this illogical, psychologically harmful and, in some cases, even deadly, ban on tobacco sales that has been in place since the country entered lockdown on 27 March.

This government has turned on its own people. Ordinary South Africans are being forced into criminal behaviour because addiction speaks louder than law and logic. At a time when the International Monetary Fund is predicting unemployment to exceed 35% by year-end, ordinary citizens are being threatened with criminal records that could harm their ability to obtain employment once this country returns to some semblance of normality. People are dying at their own hands due to being unable to handle the stress of dealing with both the COVID-19 pandemic and nicotine withdrawal.

DMP started as a platform where ordinary South Africans could have their say on how they felt the government was doing its job, whether positive or negative. But the founders of DMP have realised that the only time government takes note is when citizens take to the street, not when they voice their opinions. In this time of crisis, it is unfortunate that we must protest to get our voices heard, but this does not mean that we, the people of South Africa, should be irresponsible in our protesting.

DMP calls on South Africans all across the country to show their support by assembling, while wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing of 1.5m, in front of government buildings in their cities and towns. Protesters are also asked to wear black armbands in memory of people who have taken their own lives as a result of depression brought on by nicotine withdrawal and to carry placards, stating the names and ages of people whose blood is on this government’s hands.

Due to concerns around coronavirus infection and the limit on mass gatherings, DMP requests that protesters assemble peacefully, in groups of less than 50 in front of as many government buildings in their towns and cities as possible. Should a particular gathering exceed the 50-person limit, there are ample locations, and protesters can spread out, if necessary.

The intention is not to have a few large rallies but many smaller ones all over the country. In these times, low demonstrator turnout should not be seen as a failure to mobilise. For those who do not wish to congregate publicly, or, due to comorbidities, are at greater risk of COVID-19 and are therefore unable to congregate publicly, DMP asks that they show their support by walking out into the street in front of their homes, wearing their masks and black armbands and, and taking selfies of themselves taking a stand against this out-of-touch government. They should then flood Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #SmokersProtest, and tagging @DearMrPresZA, and make their discontent known.

While the event is titled #SmokersProtest, DMP believes things have gone way beyond the plight of smokers alone. This government has displayed complete disregard for the voice of the people and has repeatedly demonstrated ever-increasing overreach into citizens’ lives and is displaying troubling autocratic tendencies not often seen outside of fascist states.

The tobacco ban has caused great financial strain on smokers and their families, as smokers are now being forced to choose between buying cigarettes on the black market at inflated prices and putting food on the table. As mentioned, addiction will almost always trump law and logic.

The cigarette ban has impacted the economy. Revenue from “sin” taxes has been lost, and the livelihoods of thousands of South Africans are at risk, adding to already high unemployment.

On an individual level, the cigarette ban has been detrimental to the mental health of already strained South Africans.

The #SmokersProtest is about showing the government that we are not children, that we have the right to choose for ourselves.

DMP’s Nj Hourquebie will hand over a memorandum of demands at the Union Buildings protest, which includes:

  1. The ban on tobacco sales must be lifted with immediate effect and an official, televised, formal apology must be issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister Bheki Cele and Minister Ebrahim Patel for the suffering inflicted on the South African people.
  2. For the duration of the lockdown, smoking may be restricted to the residence and garden of the smoker, or designated smoking areas which ensure that non-smokers and children are kept at least five metres from smokers and/or smoking areas. Smokers found smoking outside their homes or these designated smoking areas may be requested to extinguish their cigarette or move to a designated smoking area, but no criminal charges may be laid, and no fines may be imposed for public smoking.
  3. The government is, within six months, to launch a free nationwide smoking cessation programme through state clinics and non-profit organisations to assist smokers who wish to quit. This programme must be available to all, free of discrimination, as defined in section nine of the constitution.
  4. The government is to allocate no less than 10% of all sin tax revenue to a fund that provides financial aid to feeding schemes, homeless shelters, and poverty alleviation organisations around the country. This fund must be independently run and may not discriminate on any grounds, as set out in section nine of the constitution.
  5. President Cyril Ramaphosa is, with immediate effect, to expunge all lockdown-related criminal records, including but not limited to the tobacco ban, the alcohol ban, and the ban on operating certain businesses, e.g. hair salons. Any charges still to be ruled upon by a court of law are to be withdrawn, also with immediate effect.
  6. President Cyril Ramaphosa is, within three months, to set up an independent commission of enquiry into the illicit cigarette trade and any possible links to corrupt government employees and politicians. Any person, whether a politician, public servant, or private individual, found to have benefited unduly from the illicit cigarette trade, is to be charged within 24 months of the commission’s establishment.
  7. The National Coronavirus Command Council shall be immediately disbanded, and a new committee, consisting of state representatives, medical and legal experts, and members of the public, should plot the way forward for the remainder of the lockdown, as we have lost faith in this government’s willingness to listen and proceed with all of our best interests at heart.

We, the people of South Africa, understand that, in times of crisis, drastic measures are sometimes necessary. But the #SmokersProtest puts this government on notice that we will no longer be side-lined in decisions that affect our freedom of choice, our rights, and our livelihoods.

We demand to have our voices heard, we demand to have a say in decisions that affect us, and we reject authoritarian rule.

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Related: Abantu Integrity Movement | Contact Ward 7 Candidate Councillor Alan Straton.

Ward 7 Independent Councillor

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.