Consult us
THE VENDING Association of South Africa (Vasa) representing the interests of the South African vending industry vis-à-vis South African institutions, other relevant authorities or bodies and the port of call by the government for all consultations relating to the vending industry has been not consulted on the possible shutting down of the highlyregulated tobacco vending machine industry.
Vasa is deeply concerned about the pronouncements made by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi of his intention to introduce legislation to ban tobacco vending machines.
Tobacco vending machines are already highly regulated and positioned only in age-controlled environments to specifically avoid sales to under-18s.
These machines provide a safe and convenient point of sale of a completely legal consumer product for adult smokers.
A considerable investment is made in each vending machine, which includes capital outlay, servicing, procurement and distribution.
Thousands of jobs are dependent on the vending machine sector and the unilateral banning of tobacco vending machines would result in job losses and with highly questionable benefit to the government’s public health agenda.
Despite this threat to wipe out an entire sector, the national Department of Health has not consulted with the Vending Association.
Nor has it provided us with an opportunity to make input into any proposed socio-economic impact assessment required by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation before the drafting of such legislation.
Vasa chairperson Max Hurwitz says, “Before the government wipes out this sector completely, with all the attendant job losses and further negative impact on our beleaguered economy, we would simply ask the government to consult with us to find an amicable solution that meets its public health objectives, while avoiding the loss of jobs in this already highly-regulated industry.”
All we ask for is the opportunity to put our case, to be consulted with and for the government to listen to reason. Max Hurwitz Vending Association of South Africa