FIVE things you should know about the NEW smoking laws for SA

The NEW smoking laws, the new Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, for South Africa is looming. Here are five things you should know. 

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FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE NEW SMOKING LAWS 

There has been mixed reaction to the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, which seeks to strengthen public health protection measures, align the tobacco control law with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention and repeal 1993’s Tobacco Control Act.

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IT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION MEASURES 

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Here are the FIVE things you should know as the Bill aims to introduce the following:

• Indoor public places and certain outdoor areas will be determined to be 100% smoke-free.
• Ban the sale of cigarettes through vending machines.
• Plain packaging with graphic health warnings and pictorials.
• Ban on display at point-of-sale; and
• The regulation and control of electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems.

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SEVERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE CONDUCTED 

The Committee conducted three public hearings in Limpopo at Polokwane, Louis Trichardt, and Tzaneen, and, like the public hearings in the North West, the reception to the Bill was mixed, with general concerns about the economic consequences of the Bill.

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The closing date for individuals and organisations had the opportunity to comment on the bill after the extension of the deadline for written submissions. The deadline was 4 September 2023.

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