What could happen if the Tobacco Control Bill is Passed?

In September 2024, the South African Parliament revisited a significant piece of legislation, the Tobacco Products and Electronic
Delivery Systems Control Bill. First introduced in December 2022, the bill aims to introduce stricter rules for tobacco products and
electronic devices like e-cigarettes (vapes). The goal is to protect public health by making smoking and vaping less attractive,
especially to young people. However, while the bill has good intentions, it could have a range of effects—both positive and
negative—on different parts of society.

What the bill proposes

The bill includes several important changes that could impact how people buy, use, and see tobacco and vaping products.

Some of the key changes are:

• Smoking in indoor public places and some outdoor areas will be banned completely.
• The sale of cigarettes through vending machines will no longer be allowed.
• Tobacco products will need to have plain packaging with graphic health warnings.
• Products like cigarettes and vapes cannot be displayed at points of sale, meaning you won’t see them openly on store shelves.
• E-cigarettes and other electronic delivery systems will be strictly regulated.

These changes aim to reduce smoking and vaping rates, improve public health, and prevent young people from picking up these habits. However, they might also lead to some unintended challenges.

Economics and Social Impacts

While the health benefits are clear, there are concerns about how the bill might affect jobs and businesses.

For Example:

• Job Losses: Stricter rules could make it harder for tobacco companies to operate, leading to job cuts. This could impact workers in tobacco factories or farms, especially in rural areas where tobacco is a major source of income.
• Illicit Trade: Some people worry that these new rules could lead to more illegal trade in tobacco products. If cigarettes and vapes become more expensive or harder to buy legally, people might turn to the black market, where products are not regulated, leading to even more health risks.

Enforcement Issues

Another major concern is how the bill will be enforced. The government has promised to set up a team, including the police, to monitor compliance with the new laws. However, without clear and strong enforcement, these rules could be difficult to follow, especially in rural areas where illegal tobacco trading is already a problem.

The penalties for breaking the new laws are severe. Businesses that break the rules could face heavy fines or even jail time—up to 20 years in prison for some offenses. However, how these penalties will be enforced is still unclear, raising concerns about fairness and consistency.

Health Benefits

The main goal of the bill is to improve public health by lowering smoking rates. Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, with thousands of people dying each year due to smoking-related illnesses. The new restrictions, like banning smoking in public spaces and requiring graphic health warnings on packaging, could make people think twice before smoking.

The bill also focuses on vaping (e-cigarettes), which has become increasingly popular, especially among young people. Although vaping is often marketed as safer than smoking, the long-term health effects are still unclear. By regulating these products more strictly, the government hopes to reduce vaping among young people and protect their health.

CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

The bill might also hurt tobacco farmers, particularly smaller, rural farmers. As demand for tobacco declines due to stricter regulations, farmers could lose a significant source of income. Small businesses that rely on selling tobacco products, such as corner shops or informal traders, may also be affected by the bans on displaying tobacco products and selling single cigarettes.

CONCLUSION: WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS

While the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is designed to improve public health, it could also cause job losses, hurt small businesses, and make it harder to control the illegal cigarette trade. On the other hand, the bill could save lives by discouraging smoking and vaping, particularly among young people.

As the bill moves forward, it’s important for the government to carefully consider all sides. This will help ensure that the bill protects public health without creating too many negative side effects for the economy and local businesses.