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The first round of public hearings regarding the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill kicks off this morning in Rustenburg in North West, and will continue in Klerksdorp and Mahikeng tomorrow and Sunday.

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.

The DA has a number of concerns with the Tobacco Bill, including grouping different products together; the excessive focus on punishment; and granting the Minister overreaching powers.

The Bill aims to address South Africa’s lack of regulations on vapour products by grouping them with traditional tobacco products. This failure to distinguish between cigarettes, tobacco based electronic devices, and non-tobacco based electronic devices does not consider their different health risks, which must be a guide in the development of this legislation.

The Bill’s penalties also far outweigh the transgression, 20 years imprisonment for manufacturing a product that does not comply with manufacturing standards or 15 years imprisonment for selling confectionary or toys that resemble a product exceeds reasonableness.

Giving the Minister power to regulate component and design features on products is an overreach. As is the requirement for disclosure of research conducted into a product, information on product composition or contents.

The DA encourages communities and stakeholders to attend the meetings and raise their oppositions and concerns.

Issued by Michele Clarke MP - DA Shadow Minister of Health