‘Stub out tighter law against us’

Tobacco industry smoked up about stricter controls bill

THE tobacco industry is fighting proposed tighter legislation by running expensive ad campaigns focusing on the economic impact the legislation would have and the right of smokers to choose. The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, published by the Department of Health in May for comment, seeks to ban the display of all tobacco products and cigarettes. Smokers could face a three-month prison sentence for smoking in public, and dedicated smoking areas in restaurants would be removed.

The public has until Wednesday to comment on the bill. Since it was first mooted, the tobacco industry has been lobbying against it. The industry has produced an ad campaign promoting freedom of choice.

The Vapour Product Association of SA’s chief executive, Zodwa Velleman, said the bill threatened to deprive millions of citizens of a safer alternative to smoking.

She said e-cigarettes were 95% less harmful.

Velleman said the vaping market was worth more than R1 billion and supported 4 000 full-time jobs.

However, Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) chief executive Jackie Maimin said tobacco companies were trying to find a new niche in their marketing.

“Tobacco companies are powerful. They can no longer advertise the lifestyle and the red cigarette boxes, so now they are shifting tactics. I don’t believe that people have a choice as they market it; about 70%