Smoking banned for U/18s
2004-06-01 08:42
Cape Town - Children under the age of eighteen will not be allowed to smoke in terms of new regulations announced on Monday by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang in Marble Hall, Limpopo.
These regulations form part of the proposed act amending the existing act dealing with the control of tobacco products and will be tabled in parliament soon.
The announcement of the new regulations coincided with the international "No Tobacco Day" instituted by the World Health Organisation.
According to Tshabalala-Msimang, there are still companies that ignore existing legislation by continuing with the sale of cigarettes to minors.
"It is clear that present legislation does not constitute a strong enough deterrent," she said.
In terms of the amendment act individuals will face fines of up to R50 000, and companies fines of up to R900 000 should they place advertisements for tobacco products.
Smokers who do not smoke in designated areas will face fines of up to R1 000.
In addition the minister will have the right to prohibit smoking in certain areas where groups of people congregate and municipalities will have the right to apply the rule at their discretion.
All employers have to display notices in the workplace to ensure that employees are aware of the prohibition on smoking.
Children under the age of 18 may not be present in an area where smoking is allowed. The previous age was 16. Children under 18 are also prohibited to sell tobacco products.
Coin-operated cigarette vending machines will also not be allowed in areas where children under the age of 16 will have access to them.
Nobody will be allowed to sell tobacco products in packaging that does not conform to prescribed standards, and also not at hospitals, clinics, chemists or any educational institutions.
It will be prohibited for tobacco products to display indications that may convince the smoker of being less dangerous, such as "light" or "extra light".
Every manufacturer of tobacco products will have to provide the minister with a presentation containing information of products being manufactured.
According to Tshabalala-Msimang, the amendments would plug the loopholes in the Act and increase fines contained in the present smoking regulations.
"We believe that tobacco affects the whole family in different ways. One is to aggravate poverty. Many studies have indicated that, in many poor households, up to 10% of the total spending of the household goes to tobacco products. As a result the family has less money for basic items such as food, education and health care." -Sapa