Using section 27 to open up the accessibility of smoking cessation health services in South Africa

Abstract

Owing to the addictive nature of tobacco products, an effective smoking cessation strategy is key in curbing the tobacco epidemic and promoting health rights. Unaided attempts to cease tobacco consumption are mostly unsuccessful, giving smoking cessation a central role in the fight against the tobacco epidemic. After examining South Africa (SA)’s tobacco control policy, this article argues that to a large extent, the accessibility of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions to treat tobacco dependence is still limited. The central argument made is that the right to access healthcare services under section 27 of the Constitution can be used to unlock access to smoking cessation services. Smoking cessation services should be prioritised as an important subset of the right to access healthcare services in SA.