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Industry members weigh in on proposed tobacco Bill

Pixabay (stock image)


The tobacco and vaping industry members have asked the government to be fair as it consults on a proposed piece of tobacco control legislation.

The draft bill seeks to regulate the sale and advertising of tobacco products like e-cigarettes and how they're packaged.

It also aims to comprehensively prohibit smoking in all enclosed spaces where children are present.

The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill has been in the works for three years.

Several groups met with the government this week to discuss their concerns around the proposed law.

Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, who's with the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, says they'll need room to breathe.

The argument from Government is that if you remove the attractiveness of smoking then fewer people will smoke, they are also concerned about the current process of selling cigarettes over the counter and the way it is displayed.

Mnguni highlighted the challenges that could be faced by informal traders, for example, who might not have the luxury to hide their cigarettes.

He says their only hope for the Bill is that it will be applied equally.