“In short, the minister's version is that the prohibition on smoking is likely to free up about 16 ICU beds at any one time across the entire country,” said Cockrell.
He said this was an “extraordinarily small number” that does not justify the “massive harm” caused by the ban.
“The harm includes the billions of rand that are lost to the fiscus by virtue of the fact that illicit cigarette sales are burgeoning,” said Cockrell.
“The [litigants] estimated the loss of excise duty to the fiscus is about R35m a day. In response, the Genesis Report says the loss to the fiscus in the form of excise duties was R2.2bn from March 27 to May 22 2020. That is a loss of almost R38m a day, according to the minister's own expert.
“The foregone billions of rand could have been used to combat the effects of the pandemic, for example by erecting field hospitals.”
Cockrell said participants in the smoking and vaping products supply chain had been adversely affected by the ban.
“Some of them will go out of business. Those that do not go out of business will suffer losses and may have to retrench employees.
“The harm includes the fact that illicit cigarettes contain harmful substances not found in legal cigarettes.”
Cockrell said a Batsa expert had pointed out that “forced cessation may have adverse impacts on smokers. Moreover, there is some evidence to show former smokers have a worse Covid-19 experience than current smokers”.
The hearing continues.
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