South Africa Proposes New Tobacco Control Act

Aug.17.2022
South Africa Proposes New Tobacco Control Act
South Africa plans to introduce stricter tobacco control laws including a ban on smoking in public places and tighter regulations for e-cigarettes.

South Africa has been considering a new Tobacco Products Control Act, including e-cigarettes, since 2018. In 2020, Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced the bill, which will ban smoking in public places and implement stricter regulations for e-cigarettes, including restrictions on certain tobacco products' use, marketing, and sale. In addition, it will allow the government to implement a complete ban on public smoking.


The government's failure to handle the bill has left public health experts frustrated, who say the country is lagging behind global best practices. The current 2008 Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act, which has been in effect for over a decade, has not been updated to include regulations for new generations of products like electronic cigarettes.


Meanwhile, in December last year, the South African National Treasury released a discussion paper outlining a plan to tax electronic devices. The proposal was open for comment until January 25th and suggests a tax be imposed on electronic cigarette devices and e-liquid/capsules based on their nicotine content.


Recently, the bill has been submitted to parliament. It will replace the ten-year-old Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill.


Statement


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not necessarily represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is intended only for industry-related exchange and research.


Due to limitations in translation skills, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


Regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related statements and positions, 2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government.


The compilation information is copyrighted by the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung receives SEATCA award for tobacco control and anti-vaping push
Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung receives SEATCA award for tobacco control and anti-vaping push
SEATCA has honoured Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung with its inaugural Trailblazer Award, citing Singapore’s long-standing vaping ban, stepped-up enforcement and regulatory measures, and the city-state’s role in sharing tobacco-control policy experience across ASEAN.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Netherlands plans to raise nicotine purchase age to 21, including vapes
Netherlands plans to raise nicotine purchase age to 21, including vapes
The Netherlands is planning to raise the legal age for buying nicotine-containing products from 18 to 21, a change that would also cover vapes. The move, embedded in the governing coalition’s latest agreement, aligns with a wider European trend toward tighter youth nicotine controls, though industry groups have criticised the proposal and warned it could fuel illicit trade.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korean Court Strikes Down Health Levy on Vape Nicotine Liquids, Citing Disproportionate Penalties
South Korean Court Strikes Down Health Levy on Vape Nicotine Liquids, Citing Disproportionate Penalties
A Seoul court has annulled South Korea’s health-levy assessments imposed on multiple importers of nicotine liquids used for vaping. While the court agreed the nicotine could be treated as “tobacco” because it was found to be leaf-derived, it ruled the levy—stacked with other taxes and calculated on a blunt, volume-only basis—was so severe it effectively deprived businesses of the ability to operate, breaching constitutional proportionality and equality standards.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thai police arrest 23-year-old woman linked to major vape-smuggling network in the South
Thai police arrest 23-year-old woman linked to major vape-smuggling network in the South
Thai police said officers expanded an investigation into a major e-cigarette smuggling network in the South and arrested a 23-year-old woman at Hat Yai Junction railway station on Jan. 6, 2026.
Jan.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Michigan Senate Passes Bipartisan Bills Requiring Tobacco Retailer Licensing
Michigan Senate Passes Bipartisan Bills Requiring Tobacco Retailer Licensing
The Michigan Senate has passed bipartisan legislation requiring tobacco retailers to be licensed statewide, aiming to strengthen enforcement against youth tobacco use. The bills introduce regular inspections, tougher penalties for sales to minors, regulation of online and delivery sales, and a ban on flash sales. The legislation now moves to the Michigan House for further consideration.
Dec.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
RJ Reynolds asks ITC to investigate alleged vape restriction violations by Heaven Gifts network
RJ Reynolds asks ITC to investigate alleged vape restriction violations by Heaven Gifts network
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to open a Section 337 investigation into Heaven Gifts International — the umbrella company behind Elf Bars and Geek Bars — its subsidiaries and nine U.S. distributors.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai