Issues South Africa

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of South Africa. Every year, more than 42100 of its people are killed bytobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 55000 children (10-14 years old) and 6141000 adults (15+ years old) continue to usetobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in South Africa andensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities andresources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

26.5%Even though fewer men smoke onaverage in South Africa than on averagein medium-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 5029700 men who smokecigarettes each day, making it anongoing and dire public health threat.

Female

5.5%More women smoke in South Africa thanon average in medium-HDI countries.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

1.68%More boys smoke in South Africa than onaverage in medium-HDI countries.

Girls

0.81%More girls smoke in South Africa than onaverage in medium-HDI countries.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

10.11%Even though fewer men die from tobaccoin South Africa than on average inmedium-HDI countries, tobacco still kills550 men every week, necessitating actionfrom policymakers.

Female

5.41%More women die in South Africa than onaverage in medium-HDI countries.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in South Africa amounts to59128 million rand. This includes direct costs related tohealthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lostproductivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

6.8% Even though fewer people use smokelesstobacco on average in South Africa than onaverage in medium-HDI countries, 2581300people still currently use smokeless tobacco,indicating an ongoing public health challenge,including heightened levels of oral cancers.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 20%larger than the Gross National Income of South Africa. Theindustry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions ofnation-states because of their extensive resources andglobal market power.

Growing

There were 12900 metric tons oftobacco produced in South Africa in2014. However, tobacco growing isonly a small fraction of agriculturein South Africa, with only less than0.01% of agricultural land devotedto tobacco cultivation.

Production

n/a

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Solutions South Africa

Current Policy in SouthAfricaProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

South Africa

41.56%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the bestpractice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline No

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Text

Percent of Pack Covered 20%

Plain Packaging Yes

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 No

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program n/a

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience n/a

Target Audience Research Was Conducted n/a

Aired On Television And/Or Radio n/a

Utilized Media Planning n/a

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign n/a

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation n/a

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness n/a

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

4/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

6/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

n/a

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names• Brand name of non-tobacco products used for tobacco product• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (productplacement)• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or supportby the tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals

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