Business sector voices its reservations over Tobacco Bill

The business sector in South Africa has given a cautious approval to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) report concerning the Tobacco Bill consultations. Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has raised concerns over the involvement of international anti-tobacco NGOs such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) during negotiations with the government. It argued that inclusion of such NGOs in the government delegation “undermines the integrity of Nedlac’s structure and raises questions about the independence of South Africa’s policy-making” process. Moreover, the business sector has also expressed reservations over the final Nedlac report it said included “new information introduced unilaterally” by the government. It cited information covering key policy areas such as enforcement effectiveness, harm reduction, and the impact on employment in the tobacco sector. “These additions, which…