The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) recently hosted the Tobacco Product Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill hearing in Durban North. The hearings took place between 8 to 10 November and were also held in Richards Bay and Pietermaritzburg.
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill aims to make significant changes to how tobacco products and electronic delivery systems are regulated in South Africa. The bill seeks to regulate smoking, the sale and advertising of tobacco products, and the packaging and appearance of these products.
It also aims to standardise packaging, provide standards for manufacturing and export, and prohibit the sale of these products to children. Additionally, the bill seeks to prohibit the free distribution of tobacco products and the sale of these products through vending machines.
The bill has received support from organisations such as CANSA, which thanked those who attended the three-day hearings and spoke in favour of the bill. CANSA emphasised the importance of creating a healthier environment for future generations and a cancer-free society.
Public hearings on the bill have been held in various provinces, including the North West Province and Limpopo . The bill is expected to replace the Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993 and align South Africa’s tobacco control legislation with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Following the three-day hearings, CANSA thanked those in attendance and said, “Your presence and voices were powerful as we work toward creating a healthier environment for future generations and a cancer free society. A special thank you to all those who spoke in favour of this important bill. Your commitment to safeguarding our youth is truly inspiring. Together, we’re making strides toward a healthier tomorrow.”
