Presentation in support of The Tobacco Products Amendment Bill 2006 Joel Perry and Dr Carl Albrecht CANSA

TABLE OF CONTENTS The Main provision of the Bill CANSA Resolution Key motivations Lessons learnt from Other countries

The Main Provisions of the Bill Amend the current Act so as to strengthen the sections which prohibit advertising, sponsorship and promotions, and which regulate smoking in public places To introduce picture based health warnings To remove misleading package descriptions, like “light” and “mild” To control the ingredients in, and emissions from, tobacco products To introduce self-extinguishing cigarettes and all To increase fines for breaking the law

CANSA Resolution That Parliament fully endorses the Tobacco Bill amendments And further motivations presented here by CANSA

New CANSA proposals 1.Public disclosure of cigarette constituents 2.Restriction of sale of cigarettes at entrances to schools 3.Acknowledge tobacco addiction as a chronic disease 4.Restrict tobacco smoking in vehicles with minors 5.Fine littering with tobacco butts, including from vehicles 6.Comprehensive smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places

CANSA ENDORSEMENT Strengthens the national health policy on cancer control Compliments public health strategies for reducing exposures to tobacco smoke and thus provides an enabling support measure to health education and programmes for behavior change. Balances the freedom of enterprise in our democratic society with promotion and protection of the right of citizens to health.

CANSA ENDORSEMENT cont’d Enshrines responsibilities to the tobacco industry to reduce its deception on the ill-effects on tobacco and to disclose the ill effects of the product it so aggressively attempts to promote as a celebration of the good life. Enshrines responsibilities to the tobacco industry to make its product less toxic by regulating the constituents of tobacco cigarettes.

CANSA ENDORSEMENT cont’d Removes the intent on ethical practice from the initiative of the industry (which initiative they have never demonstrated except due to pressure from anti tobacco groups around the world) and defines it in terms of these additional provisions to avoid incremental measures and 'window dressing' by the industry and thus ensures that fundamental deliverables in the interest of public health are met. Restricts the accessibility to tobacco products to those most vulnerable and less informed being minors.

CANSA ENDORSEMENT cont’d *The measures reflect the seriousness with which the ill effects of tobacco products are considered by health authorities worldwide as a public health hazard. *Presents the government of South Africa as protector and promoter of public health on tobacco control, second to none in the world.

DISCLOSURE AND CIGARETTE CONTENT Freedom of information as enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act, should also be invoked in this case on the disclosure of the constituents of cigarettes in the interest of consumers of this product. Also adopt similar measures to medicinal drugs and chemical (over the counter products)

SALE OF CIGARETTES / SCHOOLS Sale of cigarettes on school premises or at the entrances of schools by hawkers, undermines the intentions of the Bill to restrict access to tobacco cigarettes to minors.

CHRONIC DISEASE Making tobacco addiction a chronic disease would ensure that appropriate help is provided for those who want to quit smoking, particularly where comprehensive smoke-free laws are promulgated.

SMOKING IN VEHICLES The efforts in prevention are more cost effective than treatment on illness related to tobacco use. The restriction of smoking in a vehicle occupied by minors should be considered with the same seriousness as the use of seat belts, in the interest of safety and public health.

LITTERING The littering with cigarette butts, creates an exposure to young impressionable children for experimentation with tobacco products. Such careless act should be considered by the Act as irresponsibility on the part of a smoker and also subject to a fine.

COMPREHENSIVE SMOKE-FREE LAWS “Comprehensive smoke-free laws would significantly improve the nation’s health. It would help many thousands reduce their smoking or even give up and would significantly help reduce health inequalities”. This impact would also benefit reduction of smoking in homes.

Lessons learned from tobacco control measures in other countries Comprehensive smoke free legislation in Republic of Ireland - public support for the law increased after the legislation. (2003) New York -- Increase in business in restaurants and bars, business tax receipts, jobs, public support. (2004) and Other countries

Potential increase in incidence rate of lung cancer mortality ASR per South AfricaUnited States

new lung cancer cases per annum

If rate is not kept low, mortality can more than double NowIn the future New lung cancer mortality p.a. ?

4.8 million premature deaths from smoking worldwide 2000 (uicc) PERSUASION with LEGISLATION Can make a Difference