South Africa’s tobacco control efforts have stalled, despite a promising start in the late 1990s when strict advertising rules helped reduce smoking rates from 32% to 24% within a decade. However, 20 years later, the country’s progress has plateaued, with adult smoking prevalence remaining at around 20%. A new draft Tobacco Bill, published in 2018, aimed to revitalize tobacco control by introducing smoke-free public spaces, plain packaging, and banning displays at retail points. Nevertheless, the bill has languished for years, with its fate uncertain.

Research suggests that the tobacco industry is behind the slow progress. A 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, which surveyed 100 countries, found that many governments fail to adequately counter industry interference in policymaking, leading to delayed or sabotaged legislation. South Africa ranks 56th on this list, indicating a significant level of industry influence.

The tobacco industry has employed various tactics to derail the bill, including funding campaigns that exaggerate potential job losses and illicit trade, conducting surveys that compare public support for the bill to other health topics, and building alliances with tobacco farmer groups and small retailers. Industry actors have also flooded officials with lengthy documents, criticized researchers supportive of the bill, and promoted alternative policy solutions.

To get tobacco control back on track, South Africa needs to stay alert to the tobacco industry’s tactics and track their activities. Public officials and politicians should be required to disclose meetings with industry representatives, and the country should improve its enforcement of rules to limit illicit sales. By taking these steps, South Africa can reduce avoidable health risks and protect its citizens, particularly young people who are increasingly being lured by newer tobacco and nicotine products.

The country’s health system, still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, needs decisive action to address the ongoing tobacco epidemic. With the draft bill still pending, it is essential for policymakers to prioritize public health and resist industry interference. By doing so, South Africa can reclaim its position as a leader in tobacco control and create a healthier future for its citizens.