Concerns about youth smoking, and BAT South Africa’s role in working to prevent this, are often raised by stakeholders as a priority issue for our company.
BAT South Africa has taken a leading role in helping to prevent youth smoking through a number of educational initiatives targeted at both consumers and retailers.
Our stance on youth smoking is clear: smoking is an adult choice and children should not smoke, ever. We strongly supported Government’s decision to raise the legal smoking age to 18, and we continue to endorse practical and common-sense measures that will see a reduction in youth smoking.
As a tobacco company, we believe we are best placed to apply our resources to help educate retailers on the penalties for selling cigarettes to under-age consumers, and the dangers of doing so. We work hard with our retail partners to ensure that cigarettes are not sold to minors.