Revised tobacco bill: Aiming to protect youth, not ban smoking! The South African Health Department has made it clear that its proposed changes to the country’s tobacco legislation are not an attempt to ban smoking or vaping outright. Instead, the department’s revised tobacco bill, which has been under review by Parliament since 2022, seeks to reduce the appeal of smoking, particularly among the youth.
The rise of electronic smoking devices like vapes has made it essential to adapt existing laws and introduce new regulations to protect younger generations.
A Focus on Youth Protection
The Health Department is particularly concerned with the growing popularity of vaping and smoking among children and young people. As part of its efforts, the revised bill includes several provisions aimed at curbing smoking’s attractiveness to the youth. The department’s deputy director-general for primary health, Jeannette Hunter, explained that the new bill is focused on safeguarding young people from harmful habits by regulating how tobacco products are marketed and sold.
“It is to protect our youth, and therefore the bill speaks to issues of plain packaging to stop making this harmful product attractive to children and young people,” Hunter said, emphasizing the importance of removing any allure from smoking or vaping.
One of the bill’s most significant changes is the introduction of plain packaging for all tobacco products. By mandating unappealing packaging designs, the bill aims to reduce the attractiveness of smoking to younger consumers. This aligns with a global trend in tobacco regulation, which seeks to minimize the marketing appeal of cigarettes and other smoking-related products.
Regulating Vaping for the First Time
In addition to its existing efforts to control cigarette use, the South African government plans to introduce regulations specifically for vaping products. For the first time, vaping will be subject to rules that prohibit the sale of these products to children. The rise in electronic delivery systems like vapes has raised concerns within the health sector, as studies have shown that these products can act as a gateway to traditional smoking.
Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla acknowledged that vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, especially among the youth. However, he warned that these products often contain harmful substances, including nicotine, that could contribute to an increase in smoking prevalence.
“Electronic delivery systems, the products some of them include nicotine and also other products which in themselves are also harmful,” Phaahla stated, pointing out that vaping should not be viewed as a harmless alternative to smoking.
Further Restrictions on Smoking and Advertising
The revised tobacco bill does not stop at packaging regulations and vaping restrictions. It also proposes several measures aimed at further controlling tobacco use in public spaces and advertising. One of the key provisions in the bill is the introduction of stricter rules on where smoking can take place. Public smoking will be subject to even tighter regulations, further limiting designated smoking areas in public venues.
Additionally, the bill will limit advertising opportunities for tobacco and electronic smoking products. This is designed to reduce the visibility of smoking in the public eye, making it harder for children and young people to be exposed to promotional materials that might encourage them to take up the habit.
The sale of cigarettes and vaping products to children will be explicitly banned, as will the use of vending machines to distribute these products. The distribution of free cigarettes or vapes will also be outlawed, as the government attempts to cut off avenues that might lead young people to experiment with smoking.
Pushback from the Tobacco Industry
As with previous tobacco-related legislation, the industry has not welcomed the proposed changes with open arms. The tobacco industry argues that such regulations could harm business and infringe on consumer freedoms. However, the government maintains that protecting public health—especially among the youth—is the primary objective of the bill.
The Health Department and lawmakers are determined to proceed, picking up where the sixth administration left off on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. The chairperson of the health committee, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has confirmed that the committee is moving ahead with the final stages of public consultations in provinces like Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Conclusion
The revised tobacco bill represents a significant step forward in South Africa’s fight to curb smoking and vaping among its youth. By focusing on plain packaging, stricter advertising rules, and the regulation of electronic smoking devices, the government is taking comprehensive steps to protect future generations from the harmful effects of smoking. As the bill moves through the final stages of public hearings, it remains to be seen how the tobacco industry will respond and whether the proposed regulations will achieve the desired outcomes of a healthier, smoke-free society.
