South Africa: Bill to Restrict Minors From Buying Tobacco

Source from:  BuaNews (Tshwane) 12 August 2007 08/14/2007

The Tobacco Product Amendment Bill increases the age restriction for selling of tobacco from 16 to 18 year-olds, says Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. "This means that all minors will no longer be allowed in a designated smoking area," she said on Saturday at the World No Tobacco and Substance Abuse Awareness Day in Limpopo. Advertise on this site The Bill is currently in the National Council of Provinces, and once approved, will be submitted to President Thabo Mbeki for endorsement before it becomes law. "The Bill also increases the penalties for the owner of a public place or employer who fails to ensure that there is no smoking in a smoke-free area, from R200 to a minimum of R20 000," said Dr Tshabalala-Msimang. In terms of the Bill, the penalty for selling tobacco products to a minor and failure to comply with the regulations on vending machines would be increased from R10 000 to a minimum of R100 000. The penalty for advertising and giving away free cigarettes would increase from R200 000 to a minimum of R1 million. According to the minister, the proposed penalties in the Bill are comparable to those of other Acts. "For example, the fine for selling liquor to a person under 18 years is R1 million or five years in prison. I have approved the Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Alcohol Beverages and we expect them to be gazetted for public comment soon," she added. The regulations would tighten the existing loopholes currently being exploited by the industry, she said. The regulations stipulate that: advertisements of alcoholic beverages are not permitted on radio, cinema and television between 6am and 10pm; advertisements and container labels for alcoholic beverages must contain health messages, which include a disclosure that consumption of alcohol increases your risk of many health problems such as, harming unborn babies, distorting judgement as well as causing aggressive behaviour; and promotional materials on alcoholic beverages that are utilised during any organised activity must also contain or display health messages. The minister also said government and communities should be "vigilant" to protect children. She said the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey of 2002 revealed that one in every five learners attempt suicide because of mental health problems caused by, among other things, substance abuse. "Over 10 percent learners smoke tobacco of which 6.2 percent of them first tried smoking before reaching the age of 10 years," said the minister. The National Cancer Registry estimates that tobacco use is responsible for about 8 percent of all deaths in South Africa; alcohol is estimated to have contributed 7 percent of the total burden from death and disability in this country. Enditem