What about e-cigarettes?

THE LAW AND LIGHTING UP

Then the Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993 made it compulsory for cigarette packets to carry a health warning. But the then minister of health, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, also made sure smokers would pay more for their vice.

“Between 1994 and 2000, cigarettes became increasingly expensive,” Professor van Walbeek says.

The results were immediate. Statistics show that for every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes above the inflation rate, four to eight percent of smokers gave up smoking.

In the early ’90s the number of adult smokers stood at 33 percent of the total population. By the early 2000s this was down to 25 percent.

In 2000 Dr Dlamini-Zuma amended the act to prohibit the advertising of tobacco products, and smokers were no longer allowed to smoke in public areas such as offices and shops. In 2009 more regulations were put in place (see box). Association of South Africa (Cansa) about 44 000 South Africans die every year of smokingrelated diseases. Globally the annual figure is 5,4 million.

Professor van Walbeek says the most effective tool for fighting smoking appears to be an increase in excise tax. Many studies have shown that no matter how serious their addiction, people reduce consumption in response to higher prices, he explains.

“If the government incorporates the new regulation with more increases in the sin tax, the impact will be even greater,” Professor van Walbeek says.

The health minister wants to have graphic pictures on the plain packaging too. Dr Motsoaledi intends tackling these as well, in line with the WHO’s recommendation that e-cigarettes should be packaged like ordinary cigarettes without branding, logos or colours.

“Some [e-cigarettes] have nicotine and are just as bad as normal cigarettes,” he said. “They introduce people to tobacco.”

SSSSSSSSSThe company also argues the new regulations will deprive the economy of billions of rands acquired through tax on cigarettes. Currently the tax is about R13 a pack and more than R13 billion rand is collected from cigarette sales each year.

Health department spokesperson Joe Maila told website Fin24 there’s likely to be resistance to the proposed laws and the government may even be taken to court.

“It’s not an easy ride but we’re prepared to take it,” he said. “Prevention is better than cure.” SA’s current smoking regulations:

You may not smoke in a car if one of the passengers is a child under 12.

You may not smoke in partially enclosed public places such as covered patios, verandas, balconies, walkways and parking areas.

Restaurant owners who don’t have a smoking area can be fined R500 000.

The fine for anyone lighting up in a nonsmoking area is R500.

You may not smoke on a school’s grounds.

You may not buy or sell cigarettes if you’re under 18.

Sweets or toys that look like cigarettes are forbidden.

No more than 25 percent of a public place may be designated as a smoking area. The area has to be enclosed and the smoky air vented to the outside.