Philip Morris advocates harm reduction strategies in South Africa’s Tobacco Bill debate

PHILIP Morris argued in Parliament this week that co-opting scientific approaches, as well as adopting harm reduction strategies within the contentious Tobacco Bill, could help South Africa reduce tobacco-related deaths.

- TAWANDA KAROMBO

The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is a proposed South African law that aims to strengthen public health by regulating the sale, advertising, and use of tobacco and electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems, such as vaping devices.

With over 11 million adult smokers in South Africa, the country risks falling behind in harm reduction and encouraging its younger population to quit smoking.

Philip Morris is one of the larger tobacco companies in South Africa calling for the separation of regulation for combustible cigarettes and newer smokeless products such as e-cigarettes and pouches, among others.

South Africa is in the process of coming up with updated regulation for the tobacco industry, with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health currently hearing oral submissions on the Tobacco Bill.

In its presentation to the committee on Tuesday, Philip Morris emphasised that “treating all nicotine products the same risks missing a major opportunity to reduce smoking-related diseases and advance a smoke-free” future.

“The evidence is clear: not all tobacco and/or nicotine-containing products carry the same level of risk,” said Buhle Binta, Philip Morris’ head of scientific engagement for Sub-Saharan Africa, in an address to the committee.