AUGUST MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
A recap of August 2026
August brought important developments in tobacco control, from Parliament’s progress on the Tobacco bill to emerging research on youth vaping, illicit trade and industry influence.
Tobacco Control bill enters the next stage: Will its protections hold?
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health adopted the Motion of Desirability for the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, with 10 of 11 members voting in favour, moving into its next phase of the legislative process the clause-by-clause deliberations. While progress is being made, the first round of clause-by-clause deliberations has raised concerns about attempts to weaken aspects of the Bill. As the process continues, protecting public health, young people and the bill’s core tobacco-control measures must remain a priority.
A call for the HPCSA to investigate potential conflicts of interest in the Tobacco Control bill debate
Amandla Mobi, a civil society movement, is calling on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to investigate potential conflicts of interest involving a registered medical practitioner participating in the parliamentary debate on the Tobacco Control bill. The HPCSA has a responsibility to uphold professional integrity and ensure that registered practitioners maintain appropriate standards of independence and ethical conduct. We therefore call on the HPCSA to investigate these concerns and take appropriate action, where warranted, to safeguard public trust and the integrity of health policy discussions.
Read more and sign the petition: https://awethu.amandla.mobi/petitions/a-call-for-the-hpcsa-to-investigate-potential-conflicts-of-interest-in-the-tobacco-bill-debate
Research in action: NCAS at faculty research day
On the 19th-20th of August 2026, NCAS joined the University of Pretoria’s Faculty Research Day, contributing to conversations that connect health research with real-world policy and practice. The event provided an opportunity to share evidence, engage researchers and strengthen collaboration around public-health priorities, reinforcing the importance of translating research into action.
News Alert
Philip Morris South Africa (SA) promoted its partnership with FoodForward SA as a response to food insecurity, but the initiative raises a bigger question about their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) image. Can charitable programmes offset the public-health harm associated with a company whose core business remains nicotine products? Such initiatives risk creating a positive social image while distracting from the wider health consequences of tobacco use.
Mixed views or majority rejection? What happened in eThekwini
Reporting on the eThekwini hearings presented residents’ views as mixed, while Parliament reported that the majority rejected the Tobacco Bill, citing weak enforcement protocols, illicit trade risks and potential economic impacts. Yet support for banning sales to children and through vending machines was shared across opposing sides. The contrasting reports highlight the need for transparent and accurate representation of public views, while concerns about enforcement and illicit trade should be addressed without compromising the bill’s core public-health protections.
Link 2: Parliament – eThekwini residents roundly reject Tobacco Bill due to lack of enforcement protocols
Professor Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf, from the University of Pretoria’s, Faculty of Health Sciences, argued that South Africa’s Tobacco Control Bill must be grounded in evidence, public health and lessons from international tobacco control. He also emphasised effective implementation and safeguards against tobacco-industry influence. As Parliament refines the bill, protecting public health and future generations must remain the guiding priority, not commercial interests.
Free State police seized suspected counterfeit cigarettes valued at R6.2 million in Welkom and arrested a 57-year-old man. The seizure followed another R3.6 million confiscation in Boshof last month, highlighting the scale and persistence of illicit tobacco trade. The seizure demonstrates that illicit tobacco remains a significant enforcement challenge in South Africa.
Research Alert
Meghan et al., 2026. Peer Vaped Nicotine Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Associations With Abstinence and Intervention Adherence During a Quit Attempt. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/29768357261481840
Vaping among adolescents and young adults is linked to nicotine dependence and health concerns, while peer use can strongly influence vaping behaviour. A study of 280 young people found that greater vaping among close friends was associated with lower quit success, poorer treatment adherence and fewer counselling sessions. Those with more frequently vaping best friends were 76% less likely to maintain abstinence at three months. Based on the study, peer vaping appears to make quitting more difficult, highlighting the importance of addressing peer influences when supporting young people to stop using nicotine.
Ryan Saelee et al, 2026. Social Media Use and Cardiovascular Health Among US High School Students. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549261477719
A 2023 United States study examined the relationship between frequent social media use and cardiovascular health among high school students. The study found that frequent users had significantly poorer overall cardiovascular health, diet and nicotine-exposure scores, with nicotine exposure showing one of the largest differences. The findings raise concerns about how digital environments may influence adolescent health behaviours. Frequent social media use is associated with poorer adolescent cardiovascular health and greater nicotine exposure, highlighting the need for stronger youth protection online.
Andrew et al, 2026. Exploring the Relationship Between Racial Bullying Victimization and Adolescent E-cigarette Use in California. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntag195
Race-based bullying may be creating another pathway into nicotine use among young people. Research involving California adolescents aged 12–17 found that young people experiencing racial bullying had higher odds of both lifetime and current e-cigarette use across racial and ethnic groups. The association was particularly pronounced among Native Hawaiian, American Indian and Asian adolescents. Addressing racial bullying could be an important part of preventing youth vaping and reducing nicotine-use disparities.
Public Health Insight of the Month
The choices we make today shape the health of the generation that follows. Protecting young people from nicotine is not just prevention, it is an investment for their future.
Ready to Quit Smoking? Contact the NCAS Quitline for help today!
Call: 011 720 3145 or WhatsApp: 072 766 4812
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