Here is what you should know about the NEW smoking laws for SA

Here is what you should know about the NEW smoking laws for SA

Anti-tobacco groups in South Africa have urged the new government to pass the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill promptly. To address smoking issues and regulate the growing vape and e-cigarette markets.

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE NEW SMOKING LAWS?

The NEW smoking laws, the new Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, for South Africa is looming. .

There has been mixed reaction to the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. This bill 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.

IT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION MEASURES 

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

• Indoor public places and certain outdoor areas will enforce a 100% smoke-free policy.
• 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.

Officials conducted several public hearings

The Committee conducted three public hearings. In Limpopo, at Polokwane, Louis Trichardt, and Tzaneen, public hearings on the Bill received a mixed reception, similar to those in the North West. With general concerns about the economic consequences of the Bill.

According to a report released by the Department of Health on Thursday, new data shows that, on average, daily smokers in South Africa smoke 8.5 cigarettes a day.

The 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) South Africa report said the prevalence of tobacco use among adults in the country is 29.4%, which equates to 12.7 million people.

SOUTH AFRICAN SMOKERS SMOKE 8.5 CIGARETTES PER DAY

It is believed data was gathered from 7,245 households and the

Ahigher percentage of men (41.7%) are currently using tobacco compared to women (17.9%) in South Africa.

The highest proportion of tobacco smokers is in the 45-64 age range at 28.6%. With nearly half (47.4%) of males in this demographic expected to be tobacco smokers.