ZA

South Africa

Restricted
🌐
Online Sales
Allowed
🏪
Offline Sales
Allowed
🎂
Legal Age
18+
🚫
Ban Scope
None

Allowed Product Types

Pod SystemDisposableRefillable

Purchase Channels

Tobacco ShopSpecialty StoreOnline

Complete Policy Details

Sales Bans

There is no nationwide ban, but the Western Cape Province is piloting a ban on the use of public places (draft of the 2023 Tobacco Product Control Amendment Act)

Latest Developments

New regulations for June 2024: Prohibit all open oil injection systems (including DIY kits) Expand the health warning area to 60% (including image warnings) Add a 15% special consumption tax on electronic cigarettes

Policy Trends

Approaching the EU TPD standards Strengthening Youth Protection: Restricting Flavors+Expanding Smoking Restrictions in Public Places Tax standardization: brewing a special consumption tax for nicotine liquids

Taxation

Nicotine e-liquid: 5 Rand/mL (approximately 0.27 USD) Hardware equipment: 15% special tax+15% value-added tax Import tariff: HS 8543.90.00 (10%)

Sales Channel Restrictions

Only for licensed tobacco retailers and specialty stores Online sales require: -Age verification system (connected to Home Affairs database) -Prohibit sales on social media platforms

Age Restrictions

18+

Advertising Restrictions

Completely prohibit radio and television advertisements Social media restrictions: prohibit internet celebrities/KOL promotion Permitted scope: Industry exhibitions/professional publication advertisements (including health warnings)

Policy Documents

Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill（B33-2022） Electronic Communications and Transactions Amendment Act 2023 Draft Regulations Relating to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems（2024）

Competent Authorities

1 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) 2 National Trading Standards 3. Ofcom - Communications Services Regulatory Authority

Policy Details

New regulations for June 2024: Prohibit all open oil injection systems (including DIY kits) Expand the health warning area to 60% (including image warnings) Add a 15% special consumption tax on electronic cigarettes Approaching the EU TPD standards Strengthening Youth Protection: Restricting Flavors+Expanding Smoking Restrictions in Public Places Tax standardization: brewing a special consumption tax for nicotine liquids
Last Updated: 2026-10