The South African government may start taxing e-cigarettes and plastic straws as it ramps up green and health taxes to boost revenue and change behavior.
In addition to doubling a levy on plastic bags from April, the government will consult on extending this charge to all single-use plastics for retail consumption including straws, utensils and packaging, from 2021, the National Treasury said in the budget review tabled in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The government will start taxing heated tobacco products immediately and intends to introduce a levy on electronic cigarettes next year.
“Globally, policymakers are looking at regulating and taxing these products due to concerns about their health effect,” the Treasury said. Read more…
