Deputy Chairperson I will deal with them decisively. [Laughter.] Therefore, as policy-makers, we have an obligation to prohibit the misleading terms related to labelling on tobacco packaging such as low tar, chocolate or fruity flavour and any other tobacco attraction that entices our communities to start smoking or dissuades them from quitting this deadly habit.
Now is the time to strengthen our ratification of the Framework Tobacco Convention on Tobacco Control and implement it fully. If we can manage to do this, I am convinced that we will reduce tobacco-related diseases, disabilities and deaths in our country. As we all know, tobacco addiction is a serious global health challenge that is increasingly ravaging countries and causing unnecessary diseases, disabilities and death.
Research indicates that the impact of tobacco consumption and production goes as far as impacting on the health care system itself. According to the MRC, the cost of maintaining tobacco survivors in terms of health care costs and disability grants is about R2 billion per year. It is distressing to report that worldwide studies reveal that there are an estimated 1,3 billion smokers in the world.
However, South Africa has been successful in passing stringent tobacco control product legislation that has contributed immensely to the reduction of smoking prevalence amongst youth and adults. The 2002 Global Youth Tobacco Survey showed that the smoking prevalence among the youth decreased from 23% in 1999 to 18,3% in 2002.
While we continue to make progress in reducing the use of tobacco, the tobacco industry has also sought ways to undermine our efforts, particularly using loopholes in the Act. It is for this reason that we are tabling the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend and strengthen the existing law.
Hon members, tobacco consumption is a preventable cause of death. It is very important for us to strengthen our health promotion interventions to support the implementation of the Tobacco Control Programme. As government we have a mandate to empower communities with knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about these deadly products and to raise awareness about these deadly tobacco products, such as pipes, snuff, cigars, clove flavoured cigarettes and biddies.
We should remember that those who consume tobacco are not the only ones exposed to its negative effects. Millions of people, including half of the world's children, are exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, known also as passive smoking. There is conclusive evidence linking passive smoking to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases in adults.
It is also known to cause respiratory diseases, ear infections, intestinal diseases and sudden infant death syndrome in children. Passive smoking is a health problem that requires society's active involvement.
In addition to the diseases caused by tobacco consumption and those caused by exposure to secondary tobacco smoke, tobacco dependency itself is a disease described in the International Classification of Diseases as a "chronic disease often involving relapses, nicotine addiction and requiring proper treatment". To date the Department of Health has broadened its scope of work to combat this problem. Its main focus is on implementing a comprehensive, continuous, sustainable and adequate tobacco control strategy based on the following: Preventing people from engaging in tobacco consumption, promoting smoking cessation, protecting nonsmokers from exposure to tobacco smoke and regulating tobacco programmes. We are confident that these amendments to the current tobacco legislation will go a long way in protecting our communities from the harm caused by tobacco use.
In conclusion, I say that this Bill will enforce tobacco product control in our country, and promote the health and wellbeing of our citizens. Thank you very much. [Applause.]