Parliament, Saturday, 9 November 2024 – The residents of greater King Cetshwayo District Municipality have expressed mixed views on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill during the first of three public hearings that were conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Health in Richards Bay’s Nseleni Hall in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
Some of the participants vehemently opposed the Bill while others called for its speedy implementation to protect public healthcare. Those in support of the Bill highlighted the necessity of the Bill in protecting non-smokers against the often-inconsiderate actions of smokers in public areas.
They supported the intention of the Bill to create smoke free zones that will ensure a smoke free environment protecting non-smokers against second hand smoke inhalation, which they argued was the cause of many smoke induced ailments suffered by non-smokers.
They highlighted the growing concern about the consumption of tobacco products by school going children who don’t attend classes to smoke. They called for the Bill to ensure stricter prohibition measures against the sale of tobacco products to children. An emphasis was also made on the danger of tobacco products to children and that smoking should be prohibited to children.
Those who support the Bill cautioned parents to protect their children against all forms of enticement to smoke. They warned parents against sending their children to buy tobacco products and smoking in front of them. They said smoking in front of children, parents are unintentionally exposing children to smoking.
They also agreed that the banning of sale of tobacco products through vending machines was welcomed as it will prevent children from buying tobacco products. They argued that the increased consumption of electronic delivery systems by the youth was alarming and requires urgent intervention and control.
Those against the Bill highlighted that the banning of advertising and display at the point of sale would negatively affect small-scale businesses and that would have a destructive impact on their ability to make a livelihood. The decision taken by the committee to encourage consultation on the Bill by the National Development and Labour Council was welcomed.
The opponents of the Bill also cautioned that the Bill would open an opportunity for the rise of illegal trade of cigarettes and that will inevitably impact negatively on the ability of the South African Revenue Services to collect excise duties on tobacco products. Also, the potential downstream impact on tobacco leaf farmers and interlinked businesses will, according to the opponents of the Bill, have catastrophic consequences.
Furthermore, those against the Bill argued that enforcement of tobacco products is not practical as was evidenced during the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Despite varying views on the Bill, a majority of participants argued that there needs to be clear enforcement mechanisms that will ensure the prevention of the sale of tobacco products to children. Many argued that spaza shops are the culprits that continue to sell tobacco products to children. Participants argued that hefty punishment must be levied against businesses that continue to sell tobacco products to underage children despite clear regulations against this practice.
The proposed legislative and policy changes brought about by the Bill seek to introduce the following:
(a) indoor public places and certain outdoor areas will be designated 100 per cent smoke-free;
(b) a ban on the sale of cigarettes through vending machines;
(c) plain packaging with graphic health warnings and pictorials;
(d) a ban on display at point of sale, and
(e) the regulation and control of electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems.
The committee will today continue with public hearings on the Bill in Pietermaritzburg at the Imbali Unit 18 Community Hall. It appeals to residents to come out in their numbers to give their inputs on the Bill.
The details of the public hearings in Pietermaritzburg are as follows:
|
DATE |
DISTRICT/ LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
Venue |
TIME |
|
Saturday, 9 November 2024 |
Msunduzi Local Municipality |
Imbali Unit 18 Community Hall
|
10:00 – 15:00 |
|
Sunday, 10 November 2024 |
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality |
Greenwood Park Community Hall
|
10:00 – 15:00 |
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO.
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
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