The South African Parliament’s Health Affairs committee has called for more research into the health risks of vapes and traditional smoking. If the cigarette bill is passed, the use and advertising of vapes will be restricted and vapes may be considered cigarette products.
According to All Africa on November 26, there is still controversy in South Africa about whether vapes are a tool to help quit smoking or a factor to promote smoking. Moreover, the jury is still out on whether higher taxes will make people smoke again.
The South African Parliament’s Health Affairs committee has called for more research to compare the health risks of vapes and traditional forms of smoking, with the aim of better understanding the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, which is seen as controversial.
If the bill passes, vapes will be treated as cigarette products, meaning they cannot be used in public places, advertising for vapes will be banned, and the health secretary will decide the design of product packaging and labeling.
The committee expressed concern about the draft law because it does not distinguish between vapes and traditional cigarette products, nor does it take into account that vapes may be seen as a tool to help quit smoking. The concerns were raised in a public consultation report on the bill.
According to the survey, in 2021. 30% of South Africans over the age of 15 will use cigarette products, including vapes.
