The proposed Tobacco Bill in South Africa is a controversial topic that has sparked a lot of debate among different stakeholders. The bill aims to regulate the use, sale, advertising, packaging, and manufacturing of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes. The bill also seeks to protect the health and rights of non-smokers and discourage the initiation and consumption of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems by children and youth.
— Some of the main features of the bill are:
The introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products and electronic delivery systems, which means that they will have no logos, colours, or branding and will only display health warnings and other mandatory information.
The removal of designated smoking areas in restaurants, bars, clubs, and other public places and the prohibition of smoking in outdoor public areas, such as beaches, parks, stadiums, and playgrounds.
The ban on retailers displaying cigarettes and cigarette vending machines and the requirement that they store them in closed cabinets or drawers.
The regulation of e-cigarettes as tobacco products means that they will be subject to the same restrictions and taxes as conventional cigarettes.
The prohibition of the sale of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems to children under the age of 18 and the ban on the free distribution or promotion of these products.
— The bill has received mixed reactions from different groups and individuals. Some of the supporters of the bill are:
Dr. Sharon Nyatsanza, a project manager at the National Council Against Smoking, believes that the bill is intended to promote human rights and says that non-smokers have the right to healthy air.
Professor Corné van Walbeek, a director at the Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products at the University of Cape Town, argues that the bill will reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases and deaths on the health system and the economy.
Dr. Catherine Egbe, a specialist scientist at the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council, says that the bill will help prevent young people from starting to smoke or use e-cigarettes.
—Some of the opponents of the bill are:
Dr. Kgosi Letlape, a former president of the Health Professions Council of South Africa and a board member of British American Tobacco South Africa, says that the bill treats smokers like criminals and infringes on their personal choices.
Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, a chairperson of the Fair-trade Independent Tobacco Association, claims that the bill will fuel illicit trade and harm small businesses in the tobacco industry.
Zodwa Velleman, chief executive officer of the Vapour Products Association of South Africa, contends that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes and should not be regulated in the same way.
The bill is currently undergoing public consultation and parliamentary processes before it can be enacted into law. It is expected to face legal challenges from some of the players in the tobacco industry who oppose it.
Source:
The proposed Tobacco Bill has received mixed reaction. Dr. Sharon Nyatsanza believes the bill is intended to promote human rights and says that non-smokers have the right to healthy air while Dr. Kgosi Letlape says the bill treats smokers like criminals.https://t.co/Wv3F6eamwU pic.twitter.com/UMnAT4KbvA
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 19, 2023
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/
https://www.702.co.za/articles/456241/up-in-smoke-what-the-tobacco-bill-means-for-smokers/
https://tobaccotactics.org/wiki/south-africa-industry-interference-with-the-control-of-tobacco-products-and-electronic-delivery-systems-bill/.
https://www.parliament.gov.za/bill/2307574/
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/.
https://tobaccotactics.org/wiki/south-africa-industry-interference-with-the-control-of-tobacco-products-and-electronic-delivery-systems-bill/.
https://www.702.co.za/articles/456241/up-in-smoke-what-the-tobacco-bill-means-for-smokers.
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