ISSN 1027-0353
African Journal of Political Science ISSN 3461-2165 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Tobacco regulation in South Africa: Interest groups and public policy
Bossman E. Asare
Graceland University, Lamoni, IA 50140, Iowa, USA. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 09 March, 2012
Abstract
The article examines the role of interest groups in the adoption of comprehensive tobacco control policies in South Africa. While various studies have noted that interest groups shape and influence public policies especially in advanced industrialized polities, this study looks at the impact of tobacco control groups in regulating tobacco use in a developing, middle-income country, South Africa. Using interviews of leading experts on tobacco control from South Africa and tobacco control policy documents, the study finds that since the last decade or so, the lobbying and campaigns of anti-tobacco interest groups have led to the adoption of more restrictive policies.
Key words: Tobacco control, interest groups, anti-tobacco groups, South Africa.