9 17 6 - Correctional Services

M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
New smoking legislation
in force Sapa
Two pieces of legislation that dramatically increase smoking
fines and crack down on tobacco companies have been signed
into law, the National Council Against Smoking said in August.
The acts make it illegal for adults to
smoke in a car where there is a child
under 12, and pave the way for picture
warnings such as diseased lungs on
cigarette packs.
“The new laws will have dramatic, important
and far-ranging effects on public
health and the tobacco industry’s marketing
activities,” said council director Dr
Yussuf Saloojee. Saloojee said fines for
smoking or allowing smoking in a nonsmoking
area increased with immediate
effect.
The fine for the owner of a restaurant,
pub, bar or workplace that breached the
smoking laws was now a maximum of
R50 000, and for the individual smoker
R500.
Smoking was now illegal in “partially
enclosed” public places such as covered
patios, verandas, balconies, walkways
and parking areas.
Nor was it allowed on premises,
including private homes used for
commercial childcare activities, or for
schooling or tutoring.
The tobacco industry was no longer
permitted to hold “parties” or use “viral”
marketing to target young people.
The sale of tobacco products to and by
people under 18 years was prohibited,
as was the sale of confectionery or toys
resembling tobacco products.
The use of picture-based health warnings
on tobacco packaging would come
into effect only later this year, because
the health ministry was still finalising
regulations.
Young officials elected onto Rooigrond’s Youth Structure did their first community service
by cleaning the windows of a school for the disabled.
Youth reminded of history
By Lewies Davids
A Youth Structure for Rooigrond Management Area was
launched with a bang on 29 August this year. The structure will
serve officials younger than 35 years.
Head of Rooigrond Correctional
Centre Mr Jimmy Nomandla reminded
the young officials of the
history of South Africa by saying, “the
youth of South Africa had assembled in
small units to ensure that their issues
were addressed”. Nomandla mentioned
Tsietsi Mashinini who is not known to
many young officials today. At 8am on
June 16, 1976 Tsietsi Mashinini interrupted
the school assembly to lead the
first group of students out of the gates
Also in the pipeline were regulations
to keep smoking away from entrances
to buildings, and restrict it in sports stadiums,
railway platforms, bus stops and
outdoor dining areas.
Saloojee said tobacco killed 44 000
South Africans every year, three times
more than vehicle accidents. “Our efforts
to reduce the death toll will be helped by
the new legislation,” he said.
Prevalence of adult smoking in South
Africa had fallen by a third in the past
decade, from 32 percent in 1995 to 22
percent in 2006.
and on the march that started the Soweto
uprising. They were protesting the use
of Afrikaans in schools. A reward was
posted for his capture and one afternoon
security police checked every student
leaving the grounds. Mashinini, who was
a prefect at Morris Isaacson, escaped
detection by dressing up as a girl. After
the march he never slept at home again
and fled the country two months later.
“Young officials should not be known
for their absenteeism, corruption or dismissals,
but rather comply with the policies
and regulations of the department,”
Nomandla said.
The young officials who attended the
launch participated in serious discussions
around their role in 2010, relationships
in the work environment, HIV and
AIDS, drug and substance abuse and
career pathing.
Keynote speaker Rev. Obakeng Ditshwene
said that officials should at an early
stage of their careers ensure that they
prioritise skills development and education.
In a demonstration of their determination
to make a difference, the elected
youth structure and about 80 other
young officials went to Retlhametswe
school for disabled children to pick up
garbage, clean the school yard and wash
windows.
JULY/AUGUST 2009 7