THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health held public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022) in the North West.
The first hearings were in the Rustenburg Civic Centre, and the province hosted nationwide hearings on the Bill.
The public hearings were in Polokwane, Limpopo on Sunday, 17 September
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, known as the Tobacco Bill, seeks to strengthen public health protection measures, align the South African tobacco control law with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention, and repeal the Tobacco Control Act 1993 (Act No. 83 of 1993).
The bill seeks to introduce indoor public places and certain outdoor areas that would be determined to be 100% smoke-free, ban the sale of cigarettes through vending machines, and introduce plain packaging with graphic health warnings and pictorials.
The bill also seeks to ban tobacco display at point-of-sale and regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems.
Dr Kenneth Jacobs, the chairman of the committee, said the hearings were in line with Chapter 59 (1) of South Africa’s Constitution, which compels the National Assembly to encourage public involvement in the legislative process.
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“The committee has decided to conduct public hearings during the week and on weekends to afford stakeholders, organisations, and individuals enough opportunity to participate.
"In trying to ensure the existence of a favourable atmosphere for a meaningful public participation process, we decided to hold hearings at times and days which will afford interested individuals and stakeholders a reasonable opportunity to participate. We are ready to listen,” Jacobs said.
Stakeholders who participated in the hearings said the bill would have a devastating effect on the economy, given the high unemployment rate in the country.
George Molope from Rustenburg said Parliament should reconsider the bill, emphasising how it will affect many families who survive on tobacco businesses.
Faniky Mokoena shared the same sentiment.
He highlighted that he has been in the tobacco industry for many years.
“The bill will destroy many hard-working legal businesses. Local tobacco farms contribute towards the economy of this country," Faniky said.
Meanwhile, Philip Moeletsi from Klerksdorp requested that the government research the harmful effects of these electronic devices.
He highlighted how this would restrict South Africans from practising their African culture and traditions.
