Parliament, Thursday, 1 June 2023 – The Portfolio Committee on Health welcomed a briefing yesterday on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill from the Department of Health, however had combined reactions to the contents of the Bill. The division was led within the assembly by the Deputy Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

The goal of the invoice is to control the sale and promoting of tobacco merchandise and digital supply methods. It additionally goals to control the packaging and look of tobacco merchandise and digital supply methods, and to make provision for the standardisation of their packaging; and to supply for the regulation of requirements in respect to the manufacturing and export of tobacco merchandise and digital supply methods.

New coverage modifications within the invoice can even deal with legislating digital nicotine and digital non-nicotine supply methods; introduce plain packaging with graphic well being warnings and pictorials; introduce a complete ban on show at level of sale; introduce 100% smoke-free areas – indoor public locations and sure out of doors areas; and a complete ban on merchandising machines for tobacco merchandise.

The committee heard that probably the most regarding drawback is the affect the invoice can have on the sale of illicit tobacco and the lack of jobs.

The Chairperson of the committee, Dr Kenneth Jacobs, mentioned the invoice is essential for the well being of all South Africans. The committee agreed that going ahead the parliamentary processes of public participation should happen. The committee will name for submissions. Thereafter, public hearings will likely be carried out for folks to make their contributions to the invoice.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR KENNETH JACOBS.

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Name: Yoliswa Landu

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