Frequently Asked Questions

Vaping products are currently not regulated in South Africa. Specifically, in South Africa, e-cigarettes are not covered by the Tobacco Products Control Act or the Medicines Act. National Government has proposed the Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic nicotine Delivery Systems Bill in hopes to regulate vapour products in the same way as cigarettes.

There are various studies available regarding the implications of vaping. The ongoing studies by Public Health England continue to show that vaping is a less harmful alternative to smoking. More information can be found in our Resources page regarding studies and reports about vaping products.

Although without risk, vaping products are less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes. According to the World Health Organisation, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death worldwide and is responsible for killing six million people annually, especially among the world’s low- and middle-income population. VPASA considers vapour products to be the most effective alternative for smokers. We believe these products offer smokers a similar experience, devoid of dangerous smoke. The body of supporting research and knowledge in respect of the lifestyle advantages and disadvantages of vapour products in South Africa is growing. VPASA seeks to contribute to this and work in partnership with Government, regulators as well as other key stakeholders to ensure the industry is well-regulated, and that consumers have access to all available scientific and health information. With sensible regulation, vapour products have the potential to make a major contribution towards social inequalities in health.

EVP liquid is made from nicotine, propylene glycol and/or glycerine with flavourings. There is no side-stream vapour released as you would find in a cigarette, only exhaled aerosol. Public Health England’s report has not found any health risks of passive vaping and their upcoming 2022 report will review the evidence again.

While surveys show that young people experiment with EVP’s, there is no evidence to support concern about EVP’s increasing youth smoking rates. The gateway myth is concisely detailed by Clive Bates of ‘The Counterfactual’, a vaping advocacy blog.

Being addicted to smoking is harmful. Cigarettes are lethal because they burn tobacco, not because of nicotine. Vapour products offer smokers an escape from decades of addiction to smoking. The e-liquid comes packed in different nicotine strengths categorised in milligrams: ranging from 2mg in freebase liquids, through to 60mg in nicotine salt liquids. There is even 0 milligrams which contains no nicotine for those who just want to vape without the nicotine. This means consumers of vapour products have a wide range of choice when it comes to buying vapour products.