South Africa does not have specific laws for Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs). However, they are categorized and regulated as tobacco products. While tobacco products can be sold, a license is required. Additionally, health warnings on packaging are mandatory, and the minimum age for purchase is 18 years. Tobacco products are prohibited from being used in public places, and their advertisement is banned by law. It is not clear whether tobacco products, including HTPs, are permitted to be imported for personal use. If you have firsthand experience or accurate information on this, please share it with the GSTHR team.
Product promotion
- Tobacco Control Laws. South Africa Summary. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/south-africa. Accessed: 18 March 2025.
Regulation
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | Allowed | 1A A |
| 2023 | no specific law | 1B |
- Philip Morris International website. Available at: https://www.pmi.com/smoke-free-products/iqos-our-tobacco-heating-system
- Global Tobacco Control. Heated Tobacco. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/heated-tobacco/countries?country=562. Accessed: 18 March 2025.
- IQOS
- Global Tobacco Control. Heated Tobacco. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/heated-tobacco/countries?country=562. Accessed: 18 March 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. South Africa Summary. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/south-africa. Accessed: 18 March 2025.
- Philip Morris International website. Available at: https://www.pmi.com/smoke-free-products/iqos-our-tobacco-heating-system
- There are pecific restrictions on tobacco products, including HTP
- IQOS
Regulations and restrictions
- Global Tobacco Control. Heated Tobacco. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/heated-tobacco/countries?country=562. Accessed: 18 March 2025.
- Tobacco Control Laws. South Africa Summary. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/south-africa. Accessed: 18 March 2025.
Publications
Tobacco harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
With the number of tobacco users across the continent set to rise by 2025, we look at the current state of tobacco harm reduction in the region, assessing the progress made so far and the obstacles preventing greater adoption of safer nicotine products.
