But knowledge of how humans act in society tells us that, precisely because they are addictive.

Erosion of legitimacyĪddictive substances harm health. It is here that knowledge of society is important. The “nanny state” argument expresses a belief that some of us should not be told what to do by those they consider their inferiors.īut this does not mean health measures will be obeyed. And all democracies allow governments to restrict freedoms to protect citizens in an emergency – by, for example, cordoning off areas hit by fire and flood. Lockdown is riling black and white South Africans: could this be a reset moment?Īll governments restrict citizens to protect their health and safety: this is why we have traffic lights. This complaint says more about the prejudices of those who make it than reality. And, since the loudest opposition has come from white suburbanites, it has revived the familiar conservative argument that a “nanny state” is telling citizens that it knows more about what is good for them than they do. Then, at the apparent prompting of the minister responsible for lockdown rules, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the decision was reversed the ban is still in force.ĭlamini-Zuma has an unfortunate tendency to lecture rather than persuade and her role seems to have turned muttered resentment among some into loud anger, directed not only at the tobacco ban but the entire lockdown. The ban generated such heat because, when the government began relaxing the lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that tobacco sales would be allowed. Only around 1 in 5 South Africans smoke and previous government limits on smoking were not controversial. What was not expected was that the most vehement resistance would be aimed at a ban on selling tobacco products. When South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown began on 27 March, opposition from some quarters was inevitable. It might be prouder if it was also guided by knowledge of how society works.

South Africa’s government is proud that its response to Covid-19 relies on science.

Start of lockdown south africa