TOBACCO packaging offenders may face a fine of up to R1 million if they violate the new standards set out by the Tobacco Control Amendment Bill.

The Bill, which was passed by Parliament last Friday, calls for the removal of the words “light” and “mild” on cigarette packaging and it also recommends a R40000 increase in fines for people selling tobacco products to underage children.

It focuses on the trade and marketing of tobacco products and will prescribe the quantities of specific tobacco products to be sold in a single packages.

Leading the discussion in the National Assembly, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said the Bill was guided by the National Health Act and aimed to prescribe the conditions under which sponsorship by the tobacco industry and associated industries would be allowed.

The proposed recommendations include setting standards for packaging and labelling of tobacco products, including pictorial warnings and removing misleading package descriptions like “light” and “mild”.

The Bill carries stiff fines, including a R50000 fine for anyone found selling tobacco products to people under 18 years – a big increase from the existing R10000 penalty.

Tshabalala-Msimang said the main provisions of the Bill included controlling the ingredients in, and emissions from, tobacco products and increasing penalties for breaking the law. The publication of the Bill was approved by Cabinet in 2003.