#PassTheTobaccoControlBill
Your Nation, Your Health, #YourVoice
We need your help to protect the health of our children, families, communities, and country.
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is a vital step towards a tobacco-free
South Africa. It seeks to protect the health of all South Africans by regulating the use, packaging, and
marketing of tobacco and electronic delivery systems, including e-cigarettes.
It’s time to say “YES” to the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.
Add your voice here by 4 Sept 2023:
Why do we need this bill?
Too many South African adults (30%) smoke, use smokeless tobacco and/or electronic cigarettes – the highest of all countries in the region. (GATS-SA) We urgently need to reduce this burden on our country’s health and economy.
Smoking is harming us. Smoking can harm nearly all systems in the human body and causes many non-communicable, preventable diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Smoking is costing us. Tobacco-related illnesses cost the South African economy R42 billion in that year.
Smoking is an issue South Africans are concerned about. Too many non-smokers are affected by dangerous secondhand smoke. 9 out of 10 South Africans support the new smoke-free measures. (GATS-SA)
E-cigarettes are harmful to health and youth addiction to nicotine is a growing issue. Currently unregulated, e-cigarettes are being marketed to youth and the largest percentage of users is in the 15-24 age group.
What does the bill do?
100% SMOKE-FREE PUBLIC PLACES
Ensures that smoking in all indoor public places, workplaces, public transport, certain public spaces,
healthcare facilities, childcare facilities and in cars with children under the age of 18 or non-smokers is prohibited.
REGULATES ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE USE
Regulates electronic delivery systems for the first time. With evidence continuing to emerge on the
dangers of these products, it is essential to regulate their usage and stem the tide of youth addiction to nicotine.
PLAIN OR STANDARDIZED PACKAGING FOR TOBACCO & NICOTINE PRODUCTS
Requires all tobacco products and electronic delivery systems to have plain packaging with only necessary information including key messages about the health risks, social and economic damage caused by these products, the benefits of quitting and graphic images of health consequences.
REMOVAL OF POINTS OF SALE ADVERTISEMENT AND MARKETING
Prevents advertising or promoting of tobacco and electronic delivery products through TV or radio commercials, billboards, free samples, electronic communication, or competitions and ends the point-of-sale display of these products.
REMOVAL OF VENDING MACHINES
Prohibits the sale of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems through vending machines. Tobacco products are dangerous and should not be accessed by those who are minors. Vending machines further serve as display advertising, that all ages can access.
What can you do?
Add your voice to let Parliament know you support the Bill
Register your support and feel free to make any additional comments about your support.
- Support for your children: This bill will protect young people from starting smoking through stricter measures to limit access to e-cigarettes and marketing of all tobacco products.
- Support for your health: This bill will limit exposure of deadly secondhand smoke for you, your family and your community.
- Support for your community’s health: Ending easy access to e-cigarettes with age and marketing restrictions can reduce access to these products.
- Support for your family: Proper regulation of e-cigarettes and hookahs can help break the cycle of nicotine addiction.
If you’d like to make an oral submission, please indicate this on the form. Click below to access the form.
Fill out your details including province and municipality.
Questions/ Comments
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, feel free to message our team and we will be sure to respond.