Gert Sibande District Residents Deeply Divided Over Proposed Tobacco Control Bill in Second Public Hearing

Mpumalanga, South Africa – Residents of the greater Gert Sibande District Municipality are sharply divided over the proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022), as evidenced in the second of three public hearings held at the Mayor’s Parlour yesterday.

According to a new release by the South African Parliament, opinions on the bill spanned a wide spectrum. Some residents called for the legislation to be referred back to the National Economic Development and Labour Council, arguing that it would provide a more appropriate platform for finding a consensus. Others called for a focus on the practical aspects of tobacco regulation in South Africa rather than emotional arguments.

Those in favor of the bill emphasized the importance of research showing the harmful effects of tobacco and the impact on South Africa’s healthcare system. Opponents contended that the bill would infringe on their personal rights to smoke. They also raised concerns about the rise of illicit cigarettes that do not meet safety standards and called for government action to address this issue instead of overregulating legal trade.

Economic concerns were also expressed, with some arguing that the legislation could harm the tobacco industry, contribute to unemployment, and result in the closure of downstream industries. On the flip side, supporters argued that public health should take precedence over profit.

The debate also extended to the consumption of tobacco and electronic products by youth. Proponents of the bill highlighted that proposals like standardised plain packaging and bans on advertising and display at points of sale could curb youth consumption. Those against the bill cited a lack of parental guidance as the problem.

Views were similarly divided on the regulation of electronic delivery systems. Supporters of the bill termed these systems not as an innovation but as a new method for perpetuating addiction, while opponents viewed them as a less harmful alternative and a possible means for quitting smoking.

A smaller group of participants neither supported nor opposed the bill but expressed reservations. They welcomed specific objectives, such as the ban on the sale of tobacco products through vending machines, which they said would reduce access by children. This group also called for decentralization of the Relevant Product Monitoring Committee as proposed in the bill, arguing that this would lead to better oversight.

The committee appreciated the public’s input and assured attendees that their views will be considered in the legislative process. The final public hearing will be held today at the Clewer Community Hall in Emalahleni.

The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill aims to strengthen public health protection measures and align South African law with the World Health Organization Framework Convention. It proposes various changes including making certain areas 100% smoke-free, banning cigarette sales through vending machines, requiring plain packaging with health warnings, and regulating electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems.