The tobacco industry wants the final legislation to factor in smokeless products as a harm reduction portfolio, a view that was largely supported by members of the portfolio committee just before they voted on the desirability of the draft law.
South Africa's proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill has cleared an important parliamentary hurdle after the Portfolio Committee on Health voted in favour of its desirability, paving the way for lawmakers to begin detailed consideration of its provisions.
According to Business Report, the committee overwhelmingly supported advancing the legislation on Wednesday, with around 10 members voting in favour and one opposing the motion. The bill will now proceed to clause-by-clause deliberations, during which members will consider amendments and proposals raised by political parties and stakeholders.
The legislation, which seeks to overhaul the regulation of tobacco and nicotine products, has generated extensive debate around public health, illicit trade and the treatment of alternative nicotine products.
Kefilwe Ndaba of the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (Nitasa) said the final version of the bill should strike a balance between health concerns and economic realities while taking stronger action against illicit trade.
