Polokwane businesses worry new smoking law will drive customers away

POLOKWANE – Legislation that the Department of Health plans to table before parliament aims to ban the display advertising of tobacco products, standardise packaging, and introduce stricter controls on e-cigarettes and vaping.

These proposed changes affect the wider hospitality industry including the ban on vending machines, however the biggest challenge is where people should smoke.

The proposed law stipulates that designated smoking areas must be located a specific distance from windows, ventilation points and entry ways.

The Limpopo Liquor Traders Association (LLTA) showed concerns that the requirement would be unworkable in the townships, because that is where many smaller taverns operate.

They shared concerns similar to the Gauteng Liquor Traders Association (GLTA), stating that businesses had already invested in creating compliant smoking spaces after the last revision of the smoking laws, designating 25% of their floor space for this smoking purpose.

The new legislation stated that this would force businesses to spend even more money to build new spaces or risk falling foul of the regulations.

The Department of Health suggested 10m of distance, however the association says the provision is unreasonable in the township.

This, according to the association, would mean the smoking staff would be required to leave the building to smoke.

They added that this would leave the building in threat in terms of security and this would also affect their productivity.

There are penalties in law which states that smoking in a banned area is three months imprisonment and/or a fine and the penalty for smoking near a non-smoking employee is 10 years in prison and/or a fine.

Polokwane Observer asked establishments in Polokwane if they would comply with the law without losing their business viability.

Ten-pin on Grimm’s manager, Madelyn van Vuuren said they can comply with the law, however their establishment caters for smokers and vapers.

“Majority of our customers are here for hubbly and the proposed law might mean a drop in customers but we can try to accommodate them,” she said.

A customer at the establishment, Innocent Ndlovu, noted that if non smoking customers feel uncomfortable in such establishments then they shouldn’t come.

“This place caters for smoking people, if other customers feel uncomfortable they should go to other places. If not we will stay at home,” he said.

Taverns and clubs in Mankweng such as Porcupine Pub and Grill, Dijong Lifestyle Restaurant, Shipping Container Lifestyle and Phela Carwash and Shisanyama shared that complying with the law would be tricky because their outdoor space is small to accommodate 10m smoking zones from the door.

They added that adding more building to the existing ones would be costly however they will try to comply with the law to avoid closure or penalties.

Polokwane Observer further asked people how would forcing smokers, including vapers and hubbly users, to go outside for their use, affect their decision to visit restaurants, bars or cafés.

Here is what they had to say:

Anonymous: I think it’s basically people’s choice to go or not to go to the restaurants. I feel like if smoking rules have changed at restaurants and we smokers are aware of those rules, then we have no choice but to comply and adapt to their rules and regulations, otherwise stay home and smoke there then if you’re going have a problem or complain. It’s as easy as that.

Anonymous 2: I already don’t go to places that don’t accommodate smokers. If all places stop giving allowance for smokers, I will rather stay at home.

Anonymous 3: If it is one to chill for a long while then I would not feel comfortable. So, just as some establishments do not allow kids and they do not go – I think the same would apply to me.