NCAS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER October recap: From awareness to action.

NCAS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

October recap: From awareness to action.

This October, NCAS spotlights how tobacco companies use influencers to mislead the public, while vaping continues to infiltrate schools. As debates around the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill intensify, NCAS calls for stronger action to protect youth and close policy gaps. From exposing industry spin to building advocacy capacity across Africa, the push for a truly smoke-free future continues.

National Assembly’s briefing on the Tobacco Control and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill

The Portfolio Committee on Health held a pivotal briefing on the bill on the 29th of October 2025, marking a critical phase in its considerations The session reviewed the content matrix of public hearing submissions, and parliamentary legal opinion on the bill. Although presented as objective, a majority of the inputs shared echoed several arguments commonly submitted by the industry, with the Committee’s continued use of cautious terms like “may” reflecting uncertainty in enforcing key provisions in their consideration column. Equally concerning is the limited recognition of the health benefits of passing the bill, as consistently emphasised by public health experts and advocates.

This is a crucial phase for public health in South Africa, and NCAS urges everyone to amplify awareness, support evidence-based policies, and hold the industry accountable for targeting youth. Policy delay is policy failure. Now is the time to act for a healthier, smoke-free generation. Click on the Link to watch the recording.

NCAS attends UP expert lecture on youth vaping and cannabis co-use

On the 6th of October, NCAS attended the 36th University of Pretoria (UP) Expert Lecture, delivered by Professor Olalekan (Lekan) Ayo-Yusuf, Head of the School of Health Systems and Public Health, titled “Youth Vaping and Cannabis Co-Use: Policy Failure or Mental Health Crisis?”

The lecture highlighted a looming mental health crisis among young South Africans, driven by the rising co-use of vaping and cannabis. Professor Ayo-Yusuf warned that this trend is fueled by policy gaps, weak regulation, and insufficient attention to youth mental health. He called for urgent action to strengthen child protection measures in the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act of 2024 and for the swift passing of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control bill to regulate vaping products.  He further emphasized that coordinated, multisectoral responses are needed to protect youth, combining health, education, and law enforcement efforts, while holding the vaping and cannabis industries accountable for aggressive marketing and misinformation.

NCAS continues to support evidence-based policies and interventions that safeguard young people from substance harm and promote stronger public health protection in South Africa.

NCAS participates in BETA 3.0 workshop on strengthening Industry Monitoring

NCAS also took part in the BETA 3.0 Workshop – Building Capacity in Industry Monitoring for Effective Tobacco Control Advocacy in Africa, hosted in Accra, Ghana, from 13–17 October 2025. The five-day workshop hosted by the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) gathered advocates from across the continent to learn on effective tools for tobacco industry monitoring in Arica.

The workshop focused on strengthening the ability of public health advocacy organisations such as NCAS to monitor and counter tobacco industry interference across the continent. Participants explored practical approaches in identifying and responding to industry tactics, including the use of research and evidence to shape policy advocacy messages and support effective counteraction. Sessions also unpacked legal perspectives on industry accountability and guided participants through the development of a tobacco industry monitoring model, drawing on insights from Tobacco Tactics.

Through hands-on exercises, the council was equipped on how to use social media and online information to detect, analyse, and report activities that undermine tobacco control policies. The training strengthened NCAS’s capacity to contribute to regional monitoring efforts and reinforced collaboration within Africa’s growing network of tobacco control advocates.

NCAS Joins the JA! Schools in Conversation Dialogue

On 31 October, the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) took part in the JA! Schools in Conversation youth dialogue, hosted by The JA! Project in partnership with the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Health and Social Development, joined by the MMC of Johannesburg. The event focused on school health and social wellbeing, with NCAS leading heartfelt discussions on how tobacco and nicotine products do not positively shape lives. Learners were encouraged to protect their health and development, stand up against bullying and discrimination, and say no to normalising substance use. The message was clear, saying yes to inclusion, kindness, and safety for all. NCAS reminded learners that they are the future generation, with the power to shape a healthier, tobacco-free South Africa.

School Assembly sparks dialogue on vaping use among learners in Pretoria.

The team also attended two Anti-Vaping workshops on the 15th and 22nd of October 2025, led by Protect Our Next, held as school assemblies to address the growing concern over vaping among high school learners in Pretoria Central, Gauteng. The sessions took place at Christian Progressive College and Princefield Trust School.

During  these engagements, NCAS discussed practical quit measures, shared the national  quitline number, and emphasised the importance of quitting vaping to protect learner’s health and well-being. Several learners approached NCAS representatives afterwards, seeking additional guidance and support to quit.  This encouraging response highlights how the initiative continues to grow, reaching more schools, raising awareness, and helping learners make informed, healthier choices.

News Alert

Committee on Health Briefed on Challenges Posed by Illicit Flow of Tobacco

On 24 October 2025, the Portfolio Committee on Health met with SARS and SAPS to address the growing problem of illicit cigarettes in South Africa. Presentations revealed criminal syndicate involvement, low penalties for offenders, and corruption among some licenced clearing and forwarding agents. Committee members called for stricter enforcement, harsher penalties, and additional resources, including more personnel and training for SARS and SAPS. The effectiveness of the Tobacco Bill under review was discussed, with recommendations for an enforcement impact analysis to ensure laws can be properly implemented. Acting Chairperson Ms. Tembalam Xego clarified that proposed plain packaging regulations aim to reduce youth appeal by removing bright colours, while brand names remain. She emphasised ongoing interdepartmental collaboration among Ministries in Health, Justice, Home Affairs, Transport, and Correctional Services to tackle illicit trade and protect the public interest.

Tobacco businesses use SA influencers to disseminate false information.

In South Africa, Influencers are being used to spread selective or misleading messages about the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill using South African celebrity figures working with the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa. Local Influencers have amplified claims that the Bill will criminalise informal traders or impose extreme penalties. While the Bill proposes that cigarettes be sold only in sealed, standardised packaging, claims by these influencers falsely exaggerate the impact of regulations in the bill. Public health experts warn that these tactics echo classic tobacco industry strategies to delay regulation, ignoring the serious health harms of smoking, especially for low-income groups. To protect public health, South Africa must pass and enforce the new Bill despite industry-linked campaigns. Stronger tobacco control is vital to curb smoking, safeguard vulnerable communities, and stop the industry from using influencers to confuse the public.

200 vapes, knives, and toy firearms were seized during an EMPD search at a Benoni school.

Social media users reacted with alarm, confusion and mixed opinions after reports about kids with toy guns, vapes and worrying behaviour. Many asked why vapes are being confiscated or whether they’re illegal; others called for fines or punishment. Several comments framed the issue as evidence of moral decline, broken families, or lack of parental control, and some contrasted behaviour in different neighbourhoods. A few responses were flippant or dismissive (jokes about returning slingshots, “it’s their right”), while others called for accountability from schools and parents. Learners are still carrying vapes into schools, a clear sign that e-cigarettes remain unregulated in South Africa. Passing the bill is urgent to protect young people, close loopholes, and stop the next generation from being hooked on nicotine.

Philip Morris promises a ‘smoke-free future’ but is it really smoke-free?

TIME CEO Jessica Sibley recently sat down with Philip Morris International Chief Executive Officer Jacek Olczak to discuss leadership, business transformation, and the company’s stated goal of creating a smoke-free future. However, according to the latest ESG report launched by NCAS, the industry’s claims of moving from traditional cigarettes to so-called harm reduction products still amount to smoking and cannot be considered a true step toward a smoke-free future. To see the facts behind these claims, click on this link and learn the truth about the so-called“ smoke-free tomorrow.”

Experts say Industry pressure weakens U.N. Health Goals.

The United Nations’ upcoming declaration on chronic diseases aims to tackle hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and other NCDs, which cause 43 million deaths annually, by promoting universal health coverage, mental health services, and health warnings on tobacco products. However, public health advocates warn the final document is weaker than earlier drafts. Experts note that while South Africa has implemented cigarette advertising restrictions and proposed plain packaging, stronger measures have been stalled by industry influence, and global calls to tax tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks were removed, undermining efforts to reduce preventable tobacco-related and other chronic diseases, particularly in low-and middle.