New law to ban smoking in presence of children, non-smokers
Cabinet has approved the submission of the Tobacco Products
and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to Parliament.
The Department of Health gazetted the Bill, which it intends to introduce to the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
Once the bill is passed into law, smoking in the presence of others could lead to prison for up to a year.
Health organisation Protect our Next briefed the media on the looming new laws on Tuesday morning.
During the conference, Tobacco and Drug Research Unit Specialist, Dr Catherine Egbe, said the bill will outlaw smoking in public.
“Once this bill becomes law, smoking in a public indoor area will be outlawed, as will smoking at home or in a car while in the presence of a non-smoker or child.”
Dr Egbe said the bill will also require standard packaging for all tobacco products.
“Tobacco products will all look the same, except for the brand names in plain text, and graphic health warnings will dominate the packaging.”
Head of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf said the proposed laws will also regulate e-cigarettes
“This has become a major sticking point for the burgeoning vaping industry, which has tried to distance itself from smoking and being bundled with combustion and burnt tobacco’ products.
“Not only will the draft laws bring tighter regulation and controls on vapes and e-cigarettes, but the industry is also facing higher taxes, as the government moves to clamp down on oils and tools used.”
ALSO READ:
