Deputy Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla says the glamorisation of vaping and flavoured tobacco products is fueling a worrying trend among South African teenagers.
Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death globally, burdening public health systems.
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill ,which seeks to enforce plain packaging and expand smoke free public areas, is currently before Parliament.
Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day stakeholder engagement session in Midrand, Johannesburg, Phaahla said the rise in teen vaping is alarming and its fuelling a new generation of nicotine addiction.
Phaahla emphasises that a recent study revealed that 1 in 5 high school learners is currently vapi ng with some classes reporting figures as high as 1 in 3, or even in some cases, 1 out of every 2 learners already been involved with this product.