South African tobacco industry fears job losses due to proposed new bill

The South African tobacco industry has decried the changes and introduction of the new bill aimed at curbing smoking, saying it could have the opposite effect.

The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill seeks to change where people can smoke and how cigarettes are packaged.

However, South African tobacco manufacturers say there are fears that tighter regulations could also see the legitimate tobacco industry go up in flames.

Independent tobacco manufacturers in the country believe that over-regulating the tobacco industry could impact the economy, leading to possible job losses and giving more power to the black market.

Chairperson of the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, admits it’s a juggling act.

Despite not opposing the new changes and the bill, Mnguni has warned that government could fall short on enforcement measures.

“Arguments are made by both sides, with the tobacco industry stating they contribute approximately R15 billion by way of excise taxes. The anti-smoking lobby group estimates the cost to the healthcare system to be about R45 billion,” He said as per EWN.

“So really, you’re just going to strengthen the black market the more you regulate the industry.”

EWN also has it that if the bill is passed into law, it would be illegal to smoke indoors or even in a car in the presence of a minor, and it would mean a ban on the sale of cigarettes at vending machines.

The Department of Health says it will take opposition to the tobacco bill with a pinch of salt as it is facing a slew of criticism after it submitted the Control of Tobacco Products and Delivery Systems Bill to Parliament.

Chief director of health promotion at the department, Doctor Lynn Moeng-Mahlangu said the bill’s biggest target is curbing youth addiction.

“There are many times when they tell us that we are misled by WHO. For me, that is really crazy,” he said.

Furthermore, if the bill is passed, this piece of legislation would regulate the use of vapes and e-cigarettes and this would be a first for the sector.

However, it is reported that proponents of these products want vapes and e-cigarettes to be regulated separately from combustible cigarettes – they argue vapes and e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products.

Main Image: Cigarettes/TimesLIVE