A leftover bill from the previous administration seeking to tighten tobacco and vaping product regulations is back before South Africa’s Parliament’s health committee.
However, the business community believes it needs to be properly consulted on its potential impact, media outlets have reported.
Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi is set to reintroduce the Tobacco Control & Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to the portfolio committee on health on Wednesday.
The government is pressing on in its efforts to align South Africa’s smoking restrictions with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
Vaping advocates previously said the bill would destroy the vapor industry if it became law.
The Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA) warned that, among other provisions, the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill opens an avenue for the government to ban the sale of flavored e-liquids, which tobacco harm advocates insist are key to entice smokers away from cigarettes.