Eyewitness News: Minister defends stricter smoking laws

Malungelo Booi | 21 September 2012

CAPE TOWN – Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday the proposed smoking regulations are in line with the best international practice.

Earlier this week, health officials tabled their plans before parliament to impose harsher smoking laws by making amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act.

The changes will make it illegal to smoke in any building, outdoor venue and public or private beach among others.

Members of Parliament (MPs) slammed this.

They said there is no rationale behind the plan.

However, Motsoaledi said that he only learnt about the criticism against the laws in the media.

“If what I read is true, I think they were displaying their absolute ignorance of issues because the regulations we have issued are proposed and conformed to best practices recommended by the guidelines of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and World Health Organisation.”

(Edited by Tamsin Wort)

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