IN line with the Constitution, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health is conducting nationwide public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.
Mpumalanga got a chance to review the bill during hearings in Nelspruit, Ermelo and Witbank from Friday, 20 October to Sunday, 22 October and there were mixed reactions to the bill.
Philile Makhunga, who supports the bill, called for the inclusion of tough enforcement measures in the bill against the sale of tobacco products to young people.
She highlighted that the banning of attractive packaging will lead to the reduction of consumption of tobacco products.
Mdondo Thabethe, who was against the bill, emphasised the importance of the implementation of the current legislation arguing that adding a new one without guarantees to make the current one work will be a waste of time.
He called for the enforcement of compliance before any consideration of new laws, highlighting the impact of the bill on the economy.
Louise Madie argued that the health and welfare of the people must be at the centre. She argued that the industry’s contribution through tax was extremely small compared to the huge financial expenditure government makes for the treatment of the victims of tobacco in the country.
Sibongile Masombuka, who was also against the bill, rejected the standardisation of packaging and labelling of tobacco products. “It will have a negative impact on job opportunities within the advertising sector,” she said.
She said plain packaging will strengthen the illicit trade market and that illegal cigarettes will dominate the market.
“The bill has the potential to close job opportunities that the industry creates. I am against it as it will have catastrophic economic consequences,” she said.
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She emphasised that tobacco products are different and they must be regulated differently.
Acting chairwoman of the committee, Annah Gela said participants who supported the bill highlighted the financial burden the effects of smoking has on the healthcare system.
“They also raised concerns that vapes and other electronic devices target the youth and expose them to unknown harmful chemicals in those products. Furthermore, they welcomed the proposals of smoke free zones as they were of the view that this will protect non-smokers from the effects of secondary smoke inhalation.
“Some participants called for the bill to be returned to the National Economic Development and Labour Council for further consultation. Those who opposed it argued there is a need for the Department of Health to undertake extensive socioeconomic and cost benefit assessments of the bill as the existing findings are outdated and not reflective of the current situation,” she said.
