Stricter cigarette laws on the cards including 100% ban on public smoking
- A stricter ban on the sale and use of tobacco products is on the cards as the government discusses the Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill
- The bill aims to regulate e-cigarettes and vaping accessories as well as a total ban on smoking in public places
- The proposed changes will also make it illegal to smoke in private and in a car under certain conditions
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The government is mulling a slew of laws to clamp down on smoking in South Africa. The Department of Health wants to change how easily cigarettes can be bought and smoked in the country.
A proposed 'blanket ban' is being proposed that will affect how tobacco products are advertised and sold and as well as how people consume them.
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The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill has three main aims and has been discussed since 2018 according to Jacarand FM.
Proposed changes
- Greater regulation of e-cigarettes and vaping paraphernalia
- A total ban on smoking in public
- Limiting the use, sale and marketing of certain tobacco products in South Africa
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South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) chairman Ntando Shadrack Sibisi slammed the government's consultation process and accused them of ignoring the comments from 2018.
"The South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) has formally objected to the Department of Health’s consultation process around a new tobacco bill, describing it as 'a sham'."
In addition, the bill also plans on making it a criminal offence to smoke in private places under certain circumstances according to The South African.
- An enclosed area used by residents of multi-unit housing such as flats and apartments.
- A private home where childcare, employment or schooling takes place.
- An indoor space that is 'reasonably close' to a strictly non-smoking area.
- Smoking will be prohibited in a vehicle that is transporting a child aged 18 and under to if there is more than one person in the car.
Legal weeds sales boom
Earlier, Briefly News reported that one of South Africa's first legitimate producers of cannabis was estimated to be worth R15 million following an acquisition recently. The details were declared official on Wednesday.
Labat Africa, a JSE-listed holding organisation once popular for traffic solutions and enormous government contracts, said it would pay R11.25 million for a 75% stake in Leaf Botanicals.
Leaf holds a South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) permit to deliver dagga for clinical use in the Northern Cape. It desires to be a huge export player around the market, according to a report by Business Insider.
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Source: Briefly News
