Smoking in South Africa
Tobacco smoking among South Africans in recent years,[
Statistics
As more significant studies are published on smoking and second hand inhalation of smoke, the South African public has become more educated on the dangers of smoking. This has led to the overall decline in number of smokers and thus number of related deaths. Currently, approximately 50,000 South Africans die per year due to the effects smoking such as an increased risk for lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. In 2000 approximately 34,108 males and 10,306 females died due to the various consequences of smoking.[3] According to the latest South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2012 only about 16.4% of South Africans smoked which is a substantial drop from 32% in 1993.[4] This decrease is attributed to legislation which led to restrictions in advertisement, and an increase tobacco prices. However, a Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 21% of students in grades 8-11 smoke. This shows little to no change between 2002 and 2008.[4]
Legislation
The Tobacco Products Control Act (1993)
In order to combat the dangers of smoking, legislation has been increasingly put into place in order to deter the public from smoking. Beginning in 1993 with the Tobacco Products Control Act, South African began to pass legislation to in order to protect the public. It was fully implemented and enforced in 1995, meaning smoking in public places became somewhat regulated. In addition, the act prohibited some aspects of advertisement, the promotion of tobacco products, and the publicity of a sponsorship is prohibited.[5] Merchandise containing tobacco may be visible when being sold, however customers are not allowed to handle the products prior to the purchase. Labeling was limited in some aspects, however was not heavily regulated until 1999. Notably the act prohibited the sale of tobacco products to minor under the age of 16.[6]
Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act (1999)
The Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993 was considered to be incomplete and incomprehension, and in 1999 the South African government passed the
References
- ^ Reddy, Priscilla (1996). "Smoking status, knowledge of health effects and attitudes towards tobacco control in South Africa". South African Medical Journal. 86: 1389–1393.
- .
- ^ "Law catches up with smokers". Health24. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ a b "SA smoking study reveals shocking details". Health24. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ Mujuzi, JD (2010). "Smoking in the workplace in South Africa: Law and practice relating to the rights and obligations of employers and employees". South African Journal of Bioethics and Law. 3: No. 2.
- ^ a b c Swart, Dehran. "The Surveillance and Monitoring of Tobacco in South Africa" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2004. Retrieved 2018-11-29.