The South African government plans to enforce stricter smoking and vaping regulations.
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is currently under review. It aims to overhaul how tobacco products are marketed, sold, and consumed.
The proposed legislation tightens restrictions on where people can smoke, with hefty fines and even potential jail time for those who break the rules.
It also introduces stringent regulations for vaping and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), which are currently not addressed by existing laws, according to media reports.
There is significant opposition from the business and labor sectors.
Critics argue that the new restrictions could adversely affect the tobacco industry, including farmers and retailers.
This move is part of South Africa’s broader effort to align its tobacco policies with international standards, particularly those set by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.