Cigarettes and violent femmes
If you are French, or hail from a similar mainland European country, you’d better watch yourself. Mothers of young children and pregnant women will viciously assault you with handbags, or at the very least glare at you fiercely and mutter among themselves, if you light up a cigarette in any public space. Yes, it’s just like California. And everywhere else in the civilised world. Europe is the last outpost of the indoor smoker.
One quick way to piss off the natives. Image by AMagill with some rights reserved.
Smoking is illegal in just about any public space in South Africa, except in rooms specially designated and equipped. That includes public transport and hotel lobbies. As a rule you can light up anywhere with bar (as in the actual counter over which alcohol is served), but if you are a first-time visitor then don’t risk even that. If there is a roof but no ashtrays, and no other smokers, then just don’t do it. Even if you don’t get fined – which you won’t – you’ll soon discover just how much support the ban has. Even if you’re outside in the cold and the rain, don’t think you’re safe. Blow your exhaust in the general direction of a non-smoker and see for yourself.
However, procuring cigarettes won’t be a problem. Almost all advertising is banned but all the major brands – Marlboro, Camel, Dunhill, Stuyvesant, Gauloises, and the usual cheap stuff – are available at all the 24-hour garage shops and from vending machines or over the counter at just about any drinking establishment.
If you are a cigar smoker then you may have more trouble finding your favourite brands. The stuff you can buy in general retailers and at bars is usually cheap ‘n nasty (except for the upper-class steakhouses and the like); though there are still specialist tobacconists to be found in the big cities.
Just keep in mind that sin taxes are high, so if you are coming to South Africa for a short stay, bring in a carton of duty-free.
