Ahead of another matric year and final exams, high school learners inSouth
SouthAfrica are increasingly turning to vaping, cannabis, and hookah pipes to cope with stress and anxiety, according to a new academic study and a parliamentary ruling. These substances, easily available at tobacconists, cannabis outlets, and gift shops, have become prevalent among students nationwide.
South Africa has long grappled with high rates of alcohol abuse, leading to significant social and economic challenges. Recent trends in vaping, cannabis use, and alcohol and drug abuse have added layers of complexity to the nation’s public health landscape.
A comprehensive study by the University of Cape Town (UCT), published in The Lancet EClinicalMedicine in November 2024, surveyed over 25,000 learners across 52 schools in eight provinces and revealed startling findings that highlight a significant uptick in vaping:
• Prevalence: 16.8% of high school learners reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
• Grade-Level Increase: Usage peaked at 29.5% among Grade 12 (matric) students, with some schools reporting rates as high as 46%.
• Comparison with Other Substances: Traditional cigarette use was reported by 2% of students, cannabis by 5%, and hookah pipe use by 3%.
• Nicotine Dependence: Between 40% and 60% of student vapers exhibited signs of addiction, including using e-cigarettes within an hour of waking.
• Motivations: Many students started vaping due to social influences, curiosity, and stress relief, later continuing to manage anxiety and depression.
These findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions to address the growing vaping epidemic among South African adolescents, said UCT researcher Samantha Filby.
Government Regulations and Industry Response:
The rise in vaping and cannabis use comes as the ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU) enforces stricter policies. Recently, the Department of Health imposed a ban on the production, importation, and sale of edible food products containing cannabis and hemp derivatives. Government officials are increasingly concerned about addiction and the growing influence of the industry. However, critics, including Rastafarian lawyer Advocate Gareth Prince, argue that the ban is “irrational,” limiting the potential of cannabis while other nations commercialise it for billions in revenue.
Cannabis Legislation and Market Trends:
South Africa has undergone significant shifts in cannabis legislation:
• 2018: The Constitutional Court decriminalised the private use and cultivation of cannabis for adults while prohibiting public use and sales.
• 2024: The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act established legal guidelines for adult use and possession limits.
• 2002-2017 Trends: Cannabis use surged from 1.5% to 7.8%, with youth consumption increasing significantly.
• Market Growth: South Africa’s cannabis market is projected to reach $314.9 million by 2025, growing at 0.94% annually from 2025 to 2029. Cannabis-infused products are gaining traction, despite regulatory hurdles.
Although the cannabis industry is poised for expansion, authorities remain focused on controlling its use. New laws allow for offenders caught smoking cannabis to be detained for up to 24 hours before being released on a warning.
Alcohol Abuse:
South Africa continues to rank among the world’s heaviest alcohol consumers, with serious health and socio-economic consequences:
• Binge Drinking: A major public health issue, contributing to liver disease, mental health disorders, and premature deaths.
• Crime and Violence: Alcohol is a key driver of gender-based violence, violent crime, and road fatalities.
• Economic Burden: Alcohol-related harm costs billions in healthcare, lost productivity, and law enforcement.
• Youth Drinking: Early exposure worsens addiction trends, as seen in tragedies like the 2022 Enyobeni Tavern incident, where 21 underage patrons died.
Despite regulatory efforts, alcohol consumption remains high. During the December 2024 festive season, South Africans spent R7.7 billion on alcohol and R3 billion on online gambling and casinos.
South Africa faces growing public health challenges as vaping, cannabis use, and alcohol abuse rise. With adolescent vaping reaching unprecedented levels and cannabis consumption expanding despite legislative hurdles, regulatory bodies must act decisively. Stricter enforcement, public education, and targeted interventions are necessary to curb addiction and promote healthier lifestyle choices within a developmental democratic state.
However, critics in the burgeoning cannabis industry and Rastafarian lawyer, Advocate Gareth Prince, who serves on the presidential steering committee on cannabis and hemp, described the ban as “unfortunate.” He said soon after the bill banning cannabis was enacted that the government had not been rational on the issue—often believing that people only smoked cannabis while the plant product had thousands of other uses. Thousands have been sent to prison for smoking and using cannabis and other drugs and substances.
“Many people want to use cannabis for other purposes like medicinal cannabis. The minister has limited people, and the decision is arbitrary. The government has done nothing to advance the dagga plant grown by indigenous farmers towards cannabis industrialisation. Other countries make millions of dollars by commercialising cannabis, while South Africa sends cannabis users to jail,” he said.
South Africa has experienced significant changes in cannabis (locally known as “dagga”) legislation and usage patterns over the past decade.
