Tobacco Bill: Proposed rules for South African smokers and sellers (Opinion)
The South African government might enforce laws that will greatly impact the lives and comfort of smokers and people who sell smoking products. By “smoker”, this reference includes people who consume any products that contain percentages of tobacco, be it cigarettes, vapours or snuff.
The new tobacco bill was proposed in the South African parliament and was officially published in 2022. Seemingly, it’s main aim to to seek more rules around the usage and selling of products with tobacco, while controlling the public perception of such products.
Firstly, the bill proposes to have measures in place that will control smoking by prohibiting it in any public spaces or work spaces not necessarily designated for smoking. This is particularly in correspondence with the owner’s (of the place or space) responsibility to place signs that inform people of such.
Secondly, pertaining to advertisement of tobacco products; companies, shop owners and sellers might be given a new responsibility. The bill proposes that such products shall not be displayed at the official building or location of business, however, they must be sold to customers upon request.
Thirdly, shall this bill be passed, failure to follow the rules and regulations might result in fines or imprisonment that can be 10 or less years. The amount of fines and imprisonment is dependent on the type of offense or rule not followed.
The bill proposes more regulations than the ones mentioned here which are concerned with more issues around tobacco trade and usage. Examples of this include the following: standards to be followed when manufacturing and packaging tobacco products.
SHALL THE BILL BE PASSED, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR A REGULAR SOUTH AFRICAN?
OPINION
Breadwinners in low-income households who make a living out of selling such products need to familiarise themselves with this bill. This will help prevent any future fines and possible imprisonment.
Regular citizens against the bill may stop it from being passed through relevant channels.
By and large, this bill may affect different people in distinct ways. Producers of the products who are at the peak of the food chain may or may not be affected as much as regular smokers across all communities.
Sources:
Images – google
Tobacco bill from SA government website – https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Bills/2022/B33_2022_Tobacco_Products_and_Electronic_Delivery_Systems_Control_Bill/B33_2022_Tobacco_Products_and_Electronic_Delivery_Systems_Control_Bill.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjWyvXd6Y-AAxUTiVwKHa-sCuEQFnoECEUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3mKnDZ3INqp_QG6DDpUIT-
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