South Africa became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on July 18, 2005.
Smoke Free Places: Designated smoking areas in indoor workplaces, public places, and public transport are allowed. For workplaces and specified public places, up to 25 percent of floor space may be set aside for smoking. Specified public places include: smoking establishments, bars, pubs, taverns, night clubs, casinos, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, Bed & Breakfasts, game lodges, and airports. In passenger ships and passenger trains with more than 10 cars, up to 25 percent of the space may be designated as smoking areas. Passenger trains with fewer than 10 cars may designate only one car as a smoking area. Sub-national jurisdictions can enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Nearly all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited, with certain exceptions including that tobacco products may be visible at point of sale but must be displayed in such a manner that customers may not handle tobacco products prior to purchase. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Rotating text-only health warnings covering 15 percent of the front of the package and 25 percent of the back of the package are required on cigarette packaging. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited.
Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in South Africa are well below these recommendations.
SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
---|---|
Health-care facilities
No
|
Private offices
No
|
Primary and secondary schools
No
|
Public transport
No
|
Universities
No
|
Restaurants
No
|
Governmental facilities
No
|
Bars and Pubs
No
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Yes
|
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
---|---|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
Yes
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
Point-of-sale advertising
No
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
Retail product display
No
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
Free distribution
Yes
|
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
---|---|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
8
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
No
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
20%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
Front
15%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
Back
25%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
No
|
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
---|---|
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
In country currency
42.13
ZAR
|
Total taxes
60%
|
In US dollars
2.55
USD
|
Total excise
47%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023
Last updated: February 28, 2025