The Tobacco Control Bill, currently before Parliament, remains a contentious issue for pro-smoking lobbyists, and while the Department of Health has again denied plans to criminalise smoking, with the proposed amendments to existing regulations, the tobacco industry is not convinced.
Earlier this year, the Tobacco Control Bill was tabled in Parliament, which if promulgated, will repeal the current Tobacco Products Act, reports EWN.
Proposals include 100% smoke-free indoor and a limited number of outdoor areas, a ban on the sale of tobacco products at vending machines, and a bigger emphasis on warning signage on cigarette packaging.
Government says smokers or businesses who break the proposed tobacco laws could face a hefty fine or jail time.
Opponents of the Bill have described it as draconian. But the Health Department’s Lorato Mahura denies this. “As the health sector, we cannot support the tobacco industry to achieve their objectives, because there is no meeting point in terms of what we are focusing on.”
The department says it expects Parliament to kick off consultations at provincial level next year.
EWN article – Health Dept denies plans to criminalise smoking with new tobacco Bill (Open access)
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