Smoking and vaping bill heats up in Parliament
The bill aims to tighten regulations on tobacco advertising and for the first time, regulate electronic smoking devices such as vapes.
Picture: Pixabay.com
CAPE TOWN - There has been fierce debate in Parliament's health committee on Wednesday over the impasse between the department and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) over a contentious smoking and vaping bill.
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill was tabled in Parliament almost two years ago.
However, the Economic Development and Labour body said it was not adequately consulted beforehand.
The bill aims to tighten regulations on tobacco advertising and for the first time, regulate electronic smoking devices such as vapes.
READ: Health Dept proposes new vaping regulations amid evidence it can cause illness, even death
Public hearings have already been held in seven of the nine provinces.
Political parties were divided on whether or not NEDLAC has had ample opportunity to raise concerns about the proposed tobacco bill and whether it should be invited to parliament to do so.
The Department of Health says it engaged with NEDLAC twice before the bill's introduction in 2021 and 2022, but the body subsequently failed to submit clause-by-clause objections.
The African National Congress (ANC)'s Sheilla Xego said Parliament’s processes can't be further delayed, because the youth is increasingly being enticed by vaping products.
ActionSA's Kgosi Letlape said NEDLAC's issue is a matter for the department to deal with.
But the African Transformation Movement (ATM)'s Vuyo Zungula said NEDLAC can't be treated as an ordinary stakeholder and the committee should hear them out.
The Freedom Front Plus' Philip van Staden cautioned against hasty decisions saying the tobacco industry had deep pockets to mount legal challenges.
Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla said it's not for him to say whether the committee should give NEDLAC an audience.
"On our side, what I want to emphasise is that the door is never closed on any policy matter in terms of engaging with any sector," said Phaahla.
Committee chairperson Sibongiseni Dhlomo said he would meet with the House Chairperson for committee Cedrick Frolick for advice on how to proceed.
Public hearings on the bill are set to resume soon, with Kwazulu-Natal and the Northern Cape still to be consulted.