The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery System Control Bill has been tabled before parliament, starting the process of getting proposed changes for smokers and the tobacco industry into law.
Earlier this year, Cabinet approved the submission of the Tobacco Control Bill to Parliament, which could see smoking banned indoors.
If passed, the new bill will replace the current Tobacco Products Control Act.
An explanatory note on the proposed laws was gazetted in October, with the Department of Health giving notice that the bill would be tabled in the National Assembly before the end of the year.
The bill was tabled on 9 December 2022, and will now proceed through the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, and ultimately be sent to the president for assent.
The bill proposes 100% smoke-free indoor and a limited number of outdoor areas, a ban on the sale of tobacco products at vending machines, and a bigger emphasis on warning signage on cigarette packaging.
One of the more controversial aspects of the bill, which has faced backlash from the burgeoning vape or e-cigarette industry, are regulations controlling electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems and matters connected with the sector.
The laws empower the minister to make a host of regulations:
- The distance within which smoking is prohibited from an operable window or ventilation inlet of or entrance and exit of an enclosed public place or workplace;
- The prohibition on smoking in or at an outdoor public place or workplace, or such portion of an outdoor public place or workplace, where smoking may pose a health, fire or other hazards;
- The actions that must be taken by he owner or person in control of public places to prevent smoking;
- Any sale restrictions or additional requirements to prevent access to a relevant product or related product by children;
- Various measures to regulate and control the packaging and display of tobacco products; and
- How these regulations apply to electronic systems- vapes/e-cigarettes.
Depending on which regulation is violated, those found in contravention of the proposed laws could see themselves with a fine or a prison sentence or both.
The prison sentences range between 3 months for smoking where you are not allowed to smoke- to 20 years for selling tobacco products to children.
Source: Moneyweb, Eyewitness News, Business Tech, image from Twitter: @KatlegoMaseng1