Banning smoking in public places? Get the basics right first
The government should start by banning the sale of cigarettes from vending machines, increasing the tax rates on tobacco products and introducing ways of tracing cigarette packs through the supply chain
07 July 2020 - 06:00
On May 31, declared by the WHO to be “No Tobacco Day”, health minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the government is finalising a bill intended to enforce a 100% prohibition of smoking in public areas. It’s a severe step, coming as it does on the heels of the controversial ban on cigarettes as part of the Covid-19 lockdown.
The current law bans smoking in public places, but it does allow for designated smoking areas in places like bars, taverns and restaurants, provided these areas don’t take up more than 25% of the venue...
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