ACDP questions conflicting child protection laws
Thursday 6 March 2003

African Christian Democratic MP and spokesperson on health Cheryllyn Dudley has commended efforts by the Tobacco Institute of South Africa, British-American Tobacco and the JT Int to launch a programme raising awareness of the penalties of selling cigarettes to minors.

The law in South Africa states that no person shall sell or supply any tobacco product to any person below the age of 16 years, whether for their own personal use or not. Retailers can be fined up to R10 000 for selling to minors, and there is provision for a jail sentence.

"Smoking is a health risk and the protection of our children should always be a priority," Dudley said.

"The ACDP also supports the industry's call to raise the age limit from 16 to 18, bringing it in line with laws on sales of alcohol and gambling," Dudley said.

"However, we are concerned that there is currently no age limit for children accessing abortions without parental consent. Abortion remains fiercely promoted and defended by government policy and the law allow girls to get abortions without their parents knowledge or consent."

Dudley says that although there are laws requiring doctors to inform the police if they find evidence of child abuse, abortionists are under no obligation to do so when performing an abortion for a girl under 16 years.

" A girl of 11 can be taken by her abuser to a clinic for an abortion and contraception without any danger of being reported for statutory rape. Sex with a minor is no longer cause for concern and statutory rape is no longer acknowledged as rape for fear of it hindering access to abortion."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For further comment please call Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 8906520 or ACDP Media Liaison Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307