Parliament, Sunday, 28 January 2024 – Some residents of Chris Hani District Municipality have called for a differentiated approach in regulating tobacco products and electronic delivery systems. The residents shared these views with the Portfolio Committee on Health during the second of three public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022) in the Eastern Cape that were held at the Ashley Wyngaardt Community Hall in Queenstown yesterday.
The call for differentiated approach arises from the argument that electronic delivery systems are less harmful than combustible cigarettes and provide an alternative towards the achievement of the goal of reducing consumption of tobacco products. Some participants referred to the success of the differentiated and evidence-based approach in other countries and argued that South Africa should adopt this approach.
Those who held this view argued that while they agreed with the objectives of the Bill, they could not support it in its current form of regulating both tobacco and electronic delivery systems under one legislation. Furthermore, they argued that the clause 9 (5) of the Bill which proposes to prohibit the sale of tobacco products and electronic delivery systems via the internet, postal services or courier services, is impractical.
Participants argued that e-commerce is a growing economic exchange platform and is a huge economic driver. They argued, however, that this will have a negative impact on the economy. A view was expressed that clause 12 of the Bill is silent on the funding and monitoring procedures.
Similar to other public hearings held on the Bill, the Bill was supported by some participants while others rejected it. Those in support of the Bill highlighted personal anecdotes that included loss of family members due to preventable diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis induced by the consumption of tobacco products. They argued that the Bill is a deterrent to high consumption of tobacco products by the youth.
Furthermore, they argued that the Bill will save the country’s healthcare system’s enormous resources that are currently used to treat ailment caused by smoking. These resources, supporters of the Bill argued they could be used to strengthen the healthcare system or the provision of other social programmes. They welcomed the proposals in clause 7 of the Bill which recommends the display of pictures highlighting the harmful health, economic, and other social effects as a result of the consumption of tobacco products. They argued that the proposal entailed in that clause will promote informed decision making and might lead to reduced use.
The supporters of the Bill also argued that the Bill will protect the rights of non-smokers against second hand smoke inhalation. According to some participants, smokers disregard the rights of non-smokers currently and expose them to harmful effects of smoking.
Those rejecting the Bill highlighted the negative impact the Bill will have on small-scale tobacco producers and traders. According to them the Bill will deprive the small-scale tobacco producers and traders an ability to make a living and provide for their families especially in the light of the rising unemployment in the country.
Some participants warned that the implementation of the Bill will further open the market to proliferation by illicit cigarettes. Those who rejected the Bill argued that illegal cigarettes do not comply with manufacturing standards in the country and could prove to be more harmful to the health and wellbeing of smokers.
The negative impact of the Bill on the economy of the country was also highlighted as a primary reason for the rejection of the Bill by some participants. Those participants argued that the industry contributes enormously to the country’s economy, through tax revenue and creation of jobs by the industry and the entire value chain. They argued that the implementation of the Bill will decrease lawful sale of tobacco products and will lead to reduced tax collection and high job losses.
The committee will today conclude the Eastern Cape leg of hearings on the Bill with a session in East London. The committee encourages all residents of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to come and share their views on the Bill.
The details of the East London public hearings are as follows:
|
DATE |
Venue |
TIME |
|
Sunday,28 January 2024 |
East London City Hall |
10:00 – 15:00 |
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR KENNETH JACOBS
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour