Cabinet will publish for comment a new draft tobacco control Bill which includes regulation of electronic cigarettes and also addresses standardised packaging for tobacco products, Eyewitness News reported.

The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which was drafted to replace the country’s existing Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993, is intended to align tobacco control laws with the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the newspaper said, referring to the FCTC as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Products.
Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said the Bill will be published for comment in the Government Gazette and has not yet been approved by cabinet. “It is not yet a decision – it would go out for public comment and will then come back for Cabinet consideration – and all those issues, from environmental groups, commercial people, and every other interested party – we’d appreciate feedback in this regard,” Mokonyane was quoted as saying.
The bill will also address indoor smoking and product display at the point of sale, Eyewitness News reported.