South Africans have until Friday (04/08) to submit their written comments on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems and Control Bill.
The portfolio committee on health has invited stakeholders and individuals to submit written comments and indicate an interest in making an oral submission on the proposed new legislation.
In essence, the new legislation seeks to change where people can smoke and how cigarettes are packaged. If this bill is passed, indoor smoking – even in your home or in the car in the presence of a child or a non-smoker – will be illegal
The objective of the bill is to achieve the following:
- regulate smoking;
- regulate the sale and advertising of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems;
- regulate the packaging and appearance of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems, and to make provision for the standardisation of their packaging;
- provide for standards in respect of the manufacturing and export of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems;
- prohibit the sale of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems to children;
- prohibit the free distribution of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems;
- prohibit the sale of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems by means of vending machines; and
- to provide for matters connected therewith.
Comments can be emailed to tobaccobill@parliament.gov.za.
Alternatively, concerned South Africans can also visit forms.gle/FLrhnvThDk8ccLG97 by no later than Friday to read a compact breakdown of what this legislation aims to accomplish. The relevant information fields can then be completed on the digital form, and submitted.
Enquiries can be directed to Vuyokazi Majalamba on 021-403-3770.
