As the newly elected government settles into office, anti-tobacco groups in South Africa are pushing for the swift passage of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. The proposed legislation aims to address the country's high smoking rates and regulate the rapidly growing vape and e-cigarette markets.
According to the recently released 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) South Africa report, an alarming 29.4% of adults in the country, or 12.7 million people, currently use tobacco products. The survey, conducted by the Department of Health and released on Thursday, 13 June 2024, gathered data from 7,245 households and found that daily smokers in South Africa consume an average of 8.5 cigarettes per day.
The report also highlighted a significant gender disparity in tobacco use, with 41.7% of men currently using tobacco compared to 17.9% of women. The age group with the highest proportion of tobacco smokers is the 45-64 demographic, with 28.6% of individuals in this range using tobacco products. Shockingly, half (47.4%) of males in this age group are expected to be tobacco smokers.
These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco control measures in South Africa. The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill aims to address these issues by implementing stricter regulations on smoking in public spaces, increasing taxes on tobacco products, and imposing tighter controls on the marketing and sale of vape and e-cigarette devices.
Anti-tobacco advocates argue that the bill is crucial for protecting public health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as youth and low-income communities, who are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of tobacco use. They also point out that the bill aligns with South Africa's commitments under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the country ratified in 2005.
As the government considers the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, it must weigh the potential public health benefits against the economic implications of increased regulations on the tobacco industry. However, with the staggering human and financial costs of tobacco use in South Africa, decisive action is needed to curb this epidemic and protect the health and well-being of the nation's citizens.
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