Swaziland – new comprehensive tobacco control act adopted

NOVEMBER 2013 – The Tobacco Products Control Act passed in August 2013 in Swaziland aims to give effect to the WHO FCTC, and has as its main objective to protect the health of the population from the consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. The Act provides a legal framework for the control and regulation of production, manufacture, sale, labeling, advertising, promotion, sponsorship and use of tobacco products, including exposure to tobacco smoke, in order to protect the health of the people from use and exposure to tobacco products and tobacco smoke; to protect consumers and purchasers of tobacco products from misleading and deceptive inducements to use tobacco products and consequent dependence upon them, and inform them of the risks of use and exposure; to prevent persons under the age of 18 from accessing tobacco products; to promote research and dissemination of information on the hazardous effects of tobacco products and use including exposure to tobacco products and tobacco smoke, in particular the health risks and addictive characteristics of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke; and to protect and promote the interests of tobacco growers by providing viable alternatives.

More information is available from Mr Vuyile Dlamini, Legal Advisor, Ministry of Health (dlaminivuyile@gov.sz).