INVITATION: Tobacco matters; so do you – it’s controversial we know

INVITATION: TOBACCO MATTERS, SO DO YOU – IT’S CONTROVERSIAL WE KNOW

01 AUGUST 2018

 

Tobacco counts in SA’s economy
Draft legislation threatens jobs and individual freedom

The Draft Control of Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill is physical health fanaticism
and an assault on mental health, human dignity and personal liberty.  And – it threatens jobs and the economy.

SpeakersFrancois van der Merwe*, Chairman, Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa (TISA)
                    & Leon Louw, Executive Director, Free Market Foundation (FMF)

TISA is concerned that the draft controls will damage a major industry that contributes jobs and wealth into the economy. This heavy handed legislation has unintended consequences and should be reconsidered not least because of the link between illicit trade and extreme regulatory proposals.

Francois van der Merwe will cover:

·         The significant contribution of the tobacco sector in South Africa
·         Main problem areas in the draft Bill
·         TISA’s key concerns and proposals
·         Latest statistics on the illicit tobacco trade in South Africa

Leon Louw will address: Fake Tobacco Control = Real People Control / Remove the right to smoke = suppression of free will / Is your “bad habit” next?

·         Tobacco is inert and cannot be controlled. All control is people control.
·         Bill treats human beings as state-owned biological organisms devoid of minds and souls.
·         Erosion of consumer protection is parading as business regulation.
·         The phony impact assessment conceals inconvenient truths about the erosion of consumer rights.

TUESDAY, 17 July 2018

11h00 – 11h30 Registration (sandwiches, tea & coffee will be available)
11h30 – 13h30 Presentation & discussion

Venue
Free Market Foundation, Block 5 Bryanston Gate, 170 Curzon Road, Bryanston
(opposite Sandton Medi-Clinic)

Entrance free

RSVP by clicking on  http://www.freemarketfoundation.com/View-Event?i=187 – NB please register each attendee separately
Guests welcome
(If you have already responded or cannot join us, no need to RSVP)
You will be able to watch this event LIVE via the FMF’s Facebook page by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/FMFSA/

Background
Francois van der Merwe has been actively involved in the tobacco industry for more than thirty years. As a tobacco farmer he has a close understanding of farmer challenges, but also of the many issues faced by the manufacturing sector. He is currently the Chairman of the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa (TISA), which deals with matters pertaining to farmers, processors, merchants, manufacturers, exporters and importers of tobacco products, with a mandate into the SACU region. Since 1998 he has represented South Africa at the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) as a member, Chairman of the Africa region and also as the global President for four years (2012 – 2016).

ENQUIRIES  
Media enquiries
For more information and to arrange for photographs and interviews, contact:
Jayne Boccaleone
082 904 3616
jboccaleone@gmail.com   

Other enquiries
Joan Evans
011 884 0270
joanevans@fmfsa.org

ABOUT the FMF  
The FMF is an independent, non-profit, public benefit organisation, created in 1975 by pro-free market business and civil society national bodies to work for a non-racial, free and prosperous South Africa. As a policy organisation it promotes sound economic policies and the principles of good law. As a think tank it seeks and puts forward solutions to some of the country’s most pressing problems: unemployment, poverty, growth, education, health care, electricity supply, and more. The FMF was instrumental in the post-apartheid negotiations and directly influenced the Constitutional Commission to include the property rights clause: a critical cornerstone of economic freedom.

The FMF has a wealth of information in papers, articles and opinion pieces available on the website which can influence the public debate and present alternative policies to the people of South Africa. Please look at our website www.freemarketfoundation.com. Also see Facebook and Twitter.

SUPPORT the FMF  
You can sign up as an individual or corporate member or make a donation online through our website.

The FMF relies on financial support from corporate and individual members and donors. All individuals and companies can donate and deduct a maximum of 10% of their taxable incomes to Section 18A approved public benefit organisations. The minimum annual payment we require is R250. All payments of R250 or more will be treated as a donation for which you will receive a Section 18A certificate for SARS.  (The FMF is a Section 18A approved Public Benefit Organisation / PBO Exemption No 930 017 343).

You can sign up as an individual or corporate member or make a donation online through our website http://www.freemarketfoundation.com/Donate  or email your contact details to accounts@fmfsa.org

CONTACT US  
TEL +27 11 884 0270 | FAX +27 11 884 5672 | EMAIL fmf@mweb.co.za
  PO Box 4056, CRAMERVIEW 2060
  Bryanston Gate, Block 5, Ground Floor, 170 Curzon Road, BRYANSTON