New Tobacco Bill poses potential safety risk for female smokers

The Gauteng Liquor Forum wants the Bill scrapped claiming it could compromise the safety of female smokers.

The Gauteng Liquor Forum is calling for the scrapping of the Tobacco Bill which is currently open for public comment.

They are arguing that the current Bill is effective but needs a better enforcement plan.

The Bill, if passed, seeks to ban the display of all tobacco products. In addition, smokers could face a three months jail sentence if found smoking in public. Dedicated smoking areas in restaurants will also be removed.

Chairperson of the Gauteng Liquor Forum, Fanny Mokoena says the banning of smoking in public places will have a negative impact on their members.

South Africans have until Thursday to comment on the draft Tobacco Control Bill.

Especially the law that says people should smoke 10 metres from the window. I don't think there is anyone in the townships who will be able to smoke 10 metres from the window.

Fanny Mokoena, Chairperson of the Gauteng Liquor Forum

Imagine at night and ladies will have to go outside to smoke 10 metres away with the spate of rape currently happening in the country.

Fanny Mokoena, Chairperson of the Gauteng Liquor Forum

We are saying that the government is criminalising us, because how on earth would you sell cigarettes without displaying it?

Fanny Mokoena, Chairperson of the Gauteng Liquor Forum

To hear the rest of the conversation on the Tobacco Bill, listen below:

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