Big win for big tobacco in SA as toughest bill yet gets watered down (opens original article in a new tab)

South African MPs are amending a tobacco control bill to ease restrictions on vapes and allow informal cigarette sales, balancing public health and economic concerns.

• MPs plan to amend the Tobacco Products & Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to soften restrictions on vapes and allow informal traders to sell single cigarettes.
• The bill's changes aim to balance public health and economic needs, with concessions agreed upon by political parties.
• Industry groups and some political parties argue for differentiated regulation based on health risks of different nicotine products.