[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Smoke Free Sweden [@SmokeFreeSweden](/creator/twitter/SmokeFreeSweden) on x 3865 followers Created: 2025-07-24 15:43:11 UTC South Africa’s experience during the COVID-19 lockdown offers a clear lesson in the unintended consequences of bans on nicotine products. The SA government’s ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products in 2020 was intended to protect public health. In the end, it only strengthened the illicit market. More than XX% of smokers continued to buy cigarettes during the five-month ban, just not through legal channels. When the ban was lifted, these illicit networks had entrenched themselves, creating long-term damage to both public health policy and legal trade. And South Africa’s official smoking rate? It continues to rise towards the XX% mark. In contrast, New Zealand has been promoting vapes as a means of quitting cigarettes. The result? New Zealand has halved its smoking rates in just five years and is on the cusp of becoming one of the first countries in the world to attain official smoke-free status, with fewer than X% of adults smoking. Prohibition fuels illicit trade. Harm reduction saves lives.  XXX engagements  **Related Topics** [sweden](/topic/sweden) [Post Link](https://x.com/SmokeFreeSweden/status/1948408630249726418)
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Smoke Free Sweden @SmokeFreeSweden on x 3865 followers
Created: 2025-07-24 15:43:11 UTC
South Africa’s experience during the COVID-19 lockdown offers a clear lesson in the unintended consequences of bans on nicotine products.
The SA government’s ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products in 2020 was intended to protect public health.
In the end, it only strengthened the illicit market. More than XX% of smokers continued to buy cigarettes during the five-month ban, just not through legal channels. When the ban was lifted, these illicit networks had entrenched themselves, creating long-term damage to both public health policy and legal trade. And South Africa’s official smoking rate? It continues to rise towards the XX% mark.
In contrast, New Zealand has been promoting vapes as a means of quitting cigarettes.
The result? New Zealand has halved its smoking rates in just five years and is on the cusp of becoming one of the first countries in the world to attain official smoke-free status, with fewer than X% of adults smoking.
Prohibition fuels illicit trade. Harm reduction saves lives.
XXX engagements
Related Topics sweden