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No smoking indoors: New law raises concern for businesses
Updated | By Stacey & J Sbu
As the Department of Health processes the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, many industries are dreading the impact it will have on businesses.
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Liquor traders in SA are taking a stand against the new smoking laws in the country. These laws require restaurants, bars and taverns to change their structures.
Some of the laws include:
Patrons must smoke outside
Behaviour of all customers must be monitored and policed
Guidelines regarding the structure of the establishment
These new laws propose a complete ban on all indoor smoking and in certain areas that are outdoors. A number of sectors have noted how this presents a noteworthy issue given the costs associated with restructuring.
This may not pose an issue for larger companies but smaller businesses will bear the brunt, particularly those in informal settlements and townships, according to the Gauteng Liquor Traders Association (GLTA).
“The Minister has discretion over this distance, but the Department of Health previously suggested 10 metres. This provision is totally unworkable in a township environment. No matter what distance the Minister prescribes, it will be impossible in a township,” it said.
According to BusinessTech, the Department of Health is processing the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill at the moment. This Bill will make noteworthy adjustments to the existing smoking laws in South Africa.
Some of these changes include:
Banning displays which advertise tobacco products,
New controls for both e-cigarettes and vapes and,
Packaging of these products will be regulated and standardised.
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