Call for Public Comments: Tobacco Products & Electronic Delivery Systems Bill

The Portfolio Committee on Health is inviting the public and other relevant stakeholders to submit written comments and indicate interest in making oral submissions on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.

Written submissions must be emailed to: tobaccobill@parliament.gov.za or submit online by the 4th September 2023.

This Bill is designed to protect the health of all South Africans. The Bill seeks to strengthen public health protection measures, align South African Tobacco Control law with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention and to repeal the current existing Tobacco Control Act (1993).

Key measures introduced by the Tobacco Control Bill include:

100% smoke-free public indoor areas and certain outdoor public places protecting many South Africans who are often involuntary exposed to second-hand smoke.
The Bill will regulate electronic cigarettes which are currently unregulated in South Africa.
It also introduces uniform plain packaging for all brands and pictorial warnings on all packages. Advertising tobacco products, heated tobacco, and electronic cigarettes at point of sales and the sale of cigarettes through vending machines will be stopped.