Tabak en e-sigarette is omstrede produkte. Die gesondheidsowerhede in Suid-Afrika beoog wetgewing om sulke produkte nog strenger te reguleer.

Gerhard van Onselen (Sakeliga) gesels met James Kemp oor die besluite om sodanige produkte strenger te reguleer.

Van Onselen sê dat sulke regulasies sal uitloop op verskeie ongewenste faktore soos ‘n hewige sentralisering van beheer oor mense se keuses en voorkeure, en skade tot die handels- en eiendomsregte van maatskappye.

Hy meen sulke regulasies moet omsigtig benader word met oorweging van belangrike opwegings.

Onlangs was daar ook die ervaring dat streng regulering en ʼn verbod op sulke produkte nie werklik slaag nie, dat sulke regulasies groot koste vir belastingbetalers inhou, en dat ander skadelike newe-effekte vanuit regulasies self kan voortspruit.

Stricter regulation of tobacco and e-cigarettes – a broader perspective

Tobacco and e-cigarettes are controversial products. The health authorities in South Africa are envisaging legislation for even stricter regulation of such products.

Gerhard van Onselen (Sakeliga) talks to James Kemp about the decision to regulate such products more strictly.

Van Onselen believes that such regulations will produce several concerning consequences such as evident centralisation of control over people’s choices and preferences, and harm to property and commercial rights of companies.

He says such further regulations should be approached carefully considering important trade-offs.

Another consideration is the experience that strict regulation and prohibition of such products are often not successful, that regulation implies huge cost to taxpayers, and itself often leads to other harmful policy consequences.