Public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill are being held countrywide. The bill aims to regulate the tobacco and vaping industries by regulating the sale, advertising and packaging of products, as well as setting manufacturing standards.
Members of the public were requested to make submissions ahead of public hearings to help the Department of Health gather a range of views and data, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks and benefits associated with proposed regulations. The Portfolio Committee on Health is conducting the hearings.
In the Free State, the hearings were held in Kroonstad on Saturday, 28 October, and in Bloemfontein on 29 October.
Mixed reviews were received from the participants. Those against the bill underscored that their livelihoods were based largely on the sale of single stick cigarettes and the prohibition of the sale thereof would be devastating to their effort for survival. They also raised concerns that the penalties proposed by the bill were unfair and would lead to increased unemployment and result in more people being arrested.
Those supporting the bill emphasised the value of regulation and not outright banning the consumption of tobacco products, as well as curbing illicit trade.
They expressed strong views, which included that South Africa should consider adopting harm reduction strategies, which have been proven to be successful in countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom. The fear is that harsh regulations on vaping products may inadvertently create an illicit market where unregulated and potentially dangerous products could flourish.
Smoking remains prevalent because it is cheaper than vaping, and even more so with the increase in illicit tobacco trading.
