In South Africa, a new tobacco and e-cigarette control bill is expected to harm the vape industry and vapers.
THE E-CIGARETTE WILL UNDERGO THE SAME TREATMENT AS TOBACCO!
If the South African Department of Health has decided to wage a real war on tobacco, it has also made the decision to tackle vaping by putting e-cigarettes at the same level as conventional cigarettes in the legislative framework.
While the use of e-cigarettes is considered the safest method for consuming nicotine, some experts continue to state that it is still not known whether inhaling the vapor produced is less harmful than smoke from cigarettes. A multitude of studies provide conflicting health reports, with the main medical consensus calling for long-term observation in order to gain certainty.
But in South Africa, the health department does not seem to want to wait to make decisions. Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Health wants to impose the same legislative framework on tobacco and e-cigarettes, making the use of these products more complicated. Worse, this controversial bill could go so far as to ban the consumption of these products in a private setting.
E-CIGARETTE: FROM THE LEGAL FLOU TO THE STRICT FRAMEWORK!
According to vaping specialists, the trend has really taken off in the country due to the lack of regulation. Today, this famous immunity enjoyed by
vapers and the entire vape industry has just disappeared with a new legal framework that imposes a status quo.
While some workplaces and establishments have already attempted to limit the use of e-cigarettes indoors, new smoking legislation will make it illegal to use indoors and in public spaces.
To Zodwa Velleman, CEO of the Vape Products Association of South Africa (VPA), has confirmed that the tobacco bill will have disastrous effects on the e-cigarette industry.
The Association also indicates that the current market for electronic cigarettes in South Africa represents more than one billion rand (60 million euros) and allows to employ 4 people full time.
