The Department of Health notes with shock the irresponsible statement of the Free Market Foundation on tobacco use uttered at a press conference.
The department is of a firm view that the use of tobacco products is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases in our country and many parts of the world. Over the years since 1994, the department has continued with its programme of tightening legislation around the use of tobacco in our country in line with its mandate of reducing the burden of diseases (caused by tobacco smoke among others) and ensuring that members of the public are protected from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.
To this end, the department is not about to be soft on tobacco-control legislation despite what the Free Market Foundation would like to believe. The statement of this organisation this morning can best be described as selfish, irresponsible and in fact dangerously ignorant. Mr Leon Louw of the Free Market Foundation must just visit a few hospitals to see patients who are victims of tobacco use before he continues with his irresponsible public statements.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Cell: 079 518 3333
Tel: 012 395 8493
