Under novel coronavirus, the South African government has implemented a strict ban on smoking in response to the new coronavirus, according to The Citizen, South Africa.

In response, Philip Morris International Tobacco South Africa Branch said in a statement on its website that during the period of the government's strict ban on tobacco products, consumers may miss a good opportunity to use smoke-free alternatives, and the company will not be able to provide its smoke-free alternatives to 11 million South African smokers.

Mr. samd Marcelo Nico of Philips Morris International Tobacco Company in South Africa also claimed that they could have provided consumers with better alternatives, such as new tobacco products such as heating and non combustion devices.