Smoking is a global problem and one that world leaders and health organisation alike are working hard to combat. In recent years the popularity of tobacco smoking has fallen, as more and more data relating the how dangerous tobacco smoking to health truly is. Asides from the health issues smoking causes, including premature death, there are other concerns to consider, including the impact that tobacco smoking has on the environment which is why South African smoking law has been reviewed.

South Africa have hit the news recently as they have announced new smoking regulations set to go live, pending the Act being signed off, by the end of 2018.

These new rules will form the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act and look set to tighten smoking availability and popularity significantly with the end result being harm reduction and the hopeful stamping out of smoking altogether. The key points of this new legislation will include:

• A ban on smoking in public places outdoors.
• Restriction on outdoors smoking which ensures that smoking is at least ten metres away from any entrances to public places.
• There will be significant changes to cigarette packet designs which will feature health warnings and also the manufacturer’s brand however no other graphics or information will be permitted.
• Smoking in public places which previously allow it, for example cafes, pubs and so on will now no longer be permitted. Areas inside such premises that were previously cordoned off for smokers will now no longer be allowed.
• Tobacco cigarette retailers will, once the legislation goes live, not be allowed to publicly display cigarettes or related products for sale.

With few restrictions in place previously, these South African smoking law changes will seem significant. They are not however dissimilar to the restrictions in place here in the UK. The introduction of the Go Smoke Free legislation by Public Health England that went live in July 2007 has seen a ban on public smoking including in work places, on public transport, in cafes and more. These changes have been responsible for a significant drop in smoking numbers in the UK, alongside the rise in popularity of vaping. The revised TPD legislation governing the advertising and marketing of cigarettes alongside other retailing restrictions also appear similar to those that the South African health ministry have put in place.

Many hope that these restrictions will have a significant impact on the popularity of smoking. Not everyone is happy about the idea however.  When the details of this new Act were proposed back in 2015 the BAT (SA), or the South African British American Tobacco company stated that if the Act were to go ahead, they would pull out operations and relocate outside of South Africa. This, amongst other restrictions, put a pin in the original plans however Aaron Motsoaledi who is the Health Minister for South African is determined that this new act will be submitted for approval by the cabinet and optimistic that it will go through with few if any changes.

Similar restrictions in the UK have also contributed to the rise in popular of vaping which is a significantly healthier hobby, according to Public Health England as well as countless health organisations as well as verified scientific data. Vaping also acts as a very useful cessation device which in turn helps to combat the number of people smoking who have previously wanted to quit yet have found that difficult.

Vaping as an alternative offers the same physical habit of hand to mouth, the same social enjoyment, the enjoyment of the vape itself and all without the harmful side effects of smoking. Those concerned about nicotine addiction continuing one they move over to vaping will be able to step down the amount of nicotine they use, as e liquids come in various strengths including zero nicotine varieties.

We hope that the new South African smoking legislation goes through unalterated as it will do much to help the environment as well as the obvious benefits to people’s health.