South Africa
Restricted
Last Updated: 2026-10
Online Sales
Allowed
Offline Sales
Allowed
Legal Age
18+
Ban Scope
None
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
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