Tobacco industry expresses concern over bill
The tobacco and vaping industries 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.
READ: Call for ban on booze adverts ahead of looming third Covid wave
Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, who's with the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, says they need room to breathe.
"The argument from government is that if you remove that attractiveness of smoking - less people will smoke. We also have the ban over-counter display units.
"Government needs to be more clearer in how is going to apply for instance, to those who in the informal trade like spaza shops. All we are saying as far as the Bill is concerned is that we hope that it will be applied equally."
The bill was approved by Cabinet in 2018.
