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Current Projects and Achievements

 

The greater part of the Council's activities involve educational and public relations work. This includes:

 

  • Advocating for the continuing improvement of national legislation to regulate the use, promotion and sale of tobacco products; advising on the content and enforcement of such legislation.

  • Advocating for increases in tobacco taxation, and providing information and research on the efficacy of taxation in reducing tobacco consumption. The Council advocated for the passage of the Tobacco Products Control Act, 83 of 1993, the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Acts 12 of 1999, 23 of 2007 and 63 of 2008 and their associated regulations. We continue to give input and proposals to the Health Ministry for further amendments to the Act based on practical local and international experience.

  • Responding to several thousand requests a year from the public for information and materials. These materials include educational leaflets, posters, audio-visuals and information on the legilsation including advice for compliance.

  • Offering a free advisory service on how to stop smoking. In 2002, the Council received over 13000 calls from smokers. Booklets containing advice on how to stop smoking were posted out to over 5000 people.

  • Public Service Advertising on radio and television in May and December each year. In 2002, ARTIFACT, a new advertising agency, created 2 new adverts for us titled "Gun" and "Apartment."

  • Providing talks and lectures to doctors, nurses, teachers, medical students, school children, and the general public. Annually we do more than 20 such talks and lectures, providing information and materials to students, scholars and professionals for their projects and research on health and tobacco matters and implementation of the tobacco control laws.

  • Radio, television and newspaper interviews and press releases as appropriate. The Council receives numerous calls from journalists each year because it is considered a credible and reliable source of information on smoking cessation and health issues. Radio shows with listeners calling in with questions are often aired.

  • Promotion of activities to mark "World No Tobacco Day" on May 31 each year. South African celebrities who have supported these activities include Past President Nelson Mandela, Health Minister Dr Mantho Tshabalala-Msimang, and sports stars like Chester Williams, Johan Roux, Bruce Fordyce, Mark Page, Roger de Sa, John "Shoes" Moshoeu, Lukas Radebe, Philemon Masinga, Brian Boloyi, and Shaun Bartlett.

  • Research into the effects of smoking during pregnancy on the health and well-being of the unborn child, the newborn infant and the growing child. The Council is also collaborating with the National Cancer Registry to quantify current and future mortality patterns associated with tobacco use.

  • Training for authorities including Environmental Health Practitioners, Metro City Police, and others tasked with health protection, management, and law enforcement.

  • Assisting workplaces in developing and implementing a clean-air policy. The Council has advised several major companies including Pick and Pay, Global Resorts, Southern Sun, Protea Hotels, City Lodge Group, many local authorities, and government departments in this regard. We continue to advise companies of all sizes on implementation of successful policies required in terms of the Tobacco Products Control Act. We receive enquiries from and provide support for attornies, accountants, HR practitioners, architects, the hospitality industry, many professionals and members of the public.

  • Assisting Employees to ensure that they are protected from second hand smoke and tobacco smoke pollution in the work place.

  • Encouraging community-based activities designed to reduce the prevalence of smoking.