Monday, May 29, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • E-edition
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Economy
  • Columns
  • Companies & Markets
  • In Business With
  • Lifestyle
    • Motoring
  • Sports
    BoBA readies Team for African Champs

    Debswana’s Exemplary Sponsorship Elevates Botswana Sports

    The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

    The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

    BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

    BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

    Tebogo’s Move to US on Hold

    De Grasse Labels Tebogo a Threat in the World of Athletics 

    BVF Forecasts a Busy 2023

    BVF Forecasts a Busy 2023

    After An Erratic 2022, BCA Takes Stock To Restrategise For 2023

    After An Erratic 2022, BCA Takes Stock To Restrategise For 2023

    Trending Tags

    • Subscribe
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • News
    • Economy
    • Columns
    • Companies & Markets
    • In Business With
    • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
    • Sports
      BoBA readies Team for African Champs

      Debswana’s Exemplary Sponsorship Elevates Botswana Sports

      The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

      The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

      BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

      BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

      Tebogo’s Move to US on Hold

      De Grasse Labels Tebogo a Threat in the World of Athletics 

      BVF Forecasts a Busy 2023

      BVF Forecasts a Busy 2023

      After An Erratic 2022, BCA Takes Stock To Restrategise For 2023

      After An Erratic 2022, BCA Takes Stock To Restrategise For 2023

      Trending Tags

      • Subscribe
      No Result
      View All Result
      The Business Weekly & Review
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home News

      Businesses fear tobacco bill could choke industry

      mm by Staff Writer
      October 5, 2021
      in News
      Reading Time: 6 mins read
      0
      Businesses fear tobacco bill could choke industry
      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

      Business Botswana has accused the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoH) of excluding them from formulation of the controversial tobacco control bill.

      Business Botswana’s position is that the bill will have dire consequences on its members because it focuses mainly on legal traders of tobacco and not on the black market of tobacco.

      The bill seeks to repeal and re-enact the Control of Smoking Act in order to align it to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to which Botswana is a party. MoH says the existing law falls short of provisions set by the FCTC.

      However, Business Botswana holds that MoH is using FCTC to erode the principle of consultation.

      While Business Botswana is not against regulation, the voice of the private sector has made several attempts to engage with the government in the process of developing the law in vain, it says.

      Business Botswana is perturbed by insertion of a clause that bars a public body from supporting, endorsing or accepting any proposals, drafts or offers of assistance with development or implementation of any tobacco control policies.

      It argues that while the government says it is trying to tackle smuggling, the bill seems targeted at industry players who operate by the book and employ thousands of people.

      Key points of the bill include banning smoking sections of hotels which are among the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 when the government moved imposed travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus. Business Botswana’s position is that such a law will harm hotels more by dragging their sales down.

      Another clause aims to compel packaging of smoke packs to include pictures depicting dangers of smoking. Business Botswana says this will drive up production costs that will consequently be passed on to the consumer.

      It argues that this may give rise to illegal trading on the black market, resulting in losses to the government in reduced taxes as illegal alcohol trading.

      BURS revealed that tobacco levy fell from P11.6 million in March 2020 to P1.9 million April 2020.

      The bill also proposes that anyone selling tobacco products should have a permit solely for that market. Cigarettes are currently sold under licences of general trading. It is feared that the bill will increase bureaucracy and squeeze out small businesses that may fail to maintain their licences.

      Business Botswana has accused the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoH) of excluding them from formulation of the controversial tobacco control bill. 

      Business Botswana’s position is that the bill will have dire consequences on its members because it focuses mainly on legal traders of tobacco and not on the black market of tobacco.

      The bill seeks to repeal and re-enact the Control of Smoking Act in order to align it to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to which Botswana is a party. MoH says the existing law falls short of provisions set by the FCTC.

      However, Business Botswana holds that MoH is using FCTC to erode the principle of consultation.

      While Business Botswana is not against regulation, the voice of the private sector has made several attempts to engage with the government in the process of developing the law in vain, it says.

      Business Botswana is perturbed by insertion of a clause that bars a public body from supporting, endorsing or accepting any proposals, drafts or offers of assistance with development or implementation of any tobacco control policies.

      It argues that while the government says it is trying to tackle smuggling, the bill seems targeted at industry players who operate by the book and employ thousands of people.

      Key points of the bill include banning smoking sections of hotels which are among the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 when the government moved imposed travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus. Business Botswana’s position is that such a law will harm hotels more by dragging their sales down.

      Another clause aims to compel packaging of smoke packs to include pictures depicting dangers of smoking. Business Botswana says this will drive up production costs that will consequently be passed on to the consumer.

      It argues that this may give rise to illegal trading on the black market, resulting in losses to the government in reduced taxes as illegal alcohol trading.

      BURS revealed that tobacco levy fell from P11.6 million in March 2020 to P1.9 million April 2020.

      The bill also proposes that anyone selling tobacco products should have a permit solely for that market. Cigarettes are currently sold under licences of general trading. It is feared that the bill will increase bureaucracy and squeeze out small businesses that may fail to maintain their licences.

      Navigation

      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      Recent News

      • BIC Drives for Insurance Literacy
      • Competition Authority Blocks Dulux, Plascon Merger
      • Tshisekedi tours HB Botswana
      • Marketing With a Conscience
      • Botswana Life recognised with four industry awards

      Site

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • E-edition

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password? Sign Up

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms below to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In
      This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
      Are you sure want to unlock this post?
      Unlock left : 0
      Are you sure want to cancel subscription?