1. This circular repeals Circular 0046/2003 and Circular 0002/2004 in their entirety.
2. The Provincial Minister responsible for education in the Western Cape, acting in terms of the provisions of the Tobacco Products Control Act, 1993 (Act 83 of 1993), has approved the Western Cape Education Department Smoking Policy, 2015.
3. Amendments to legislation relating to smoking in public places has been effected since the Western Cape Provincial Administration Smoking Policy was approved in 2002. A new smoking policy was therefore developed for the Western Cape Education Department. The Western Cape Education Department Smoking Policy, 2015, contains some of the provisions of the Western Cape Provincial Administration Smoking Policy, published in 2002, as well as certain updates of amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act, 1993 (Act 83 of 1993).
4. Paragraph 4.1 of the Western Cape Provincial Administration Smoking Policy stipulates that the smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in all workplaces of the Western Cape Provincial Administration. This provision includes education institutions.
5. All workplaces under the jurisdiction of the Western Cape Education Department are hereby declared smoke-free environments, in terms of paragraph 5.1(a) of the Western Cape Education Department Smoking Policy, 2015. Notices and signs indicating areas where smoking is not permitted must be clearly displayed and must carry the following warning: "ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THIS NOTICE SHALL BE PROSECUTED.".
6. Certain areas within the workplace could be declared designated smoking areas in terms of paragraph 5.1(b) of the policy. The identification of such areas within the workplace must be in line with the stipulations of the Western Cape Education Department Smoking Policy, 2015, and notices and signs indicating areas where smoking is permitted must be clearly displayed.
7. The implementation of this policy will be monitored by the Chief Directorate: Districts in conjunction with departmental health and safety representatives or committees, at Head Office, district offices and education institutions , appointed in terms of sections 17 and 19 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993).
8. It is important to note that the attached Western Cape Education Department Smoking Policy, 2015, does not replace the Western Cape Provincial Administration Smoking Policy, but should be read in conjunction with it.
9. This policy is applicable with immediate effect and Chief Directors, Directors at Head Office and district offices and heads of education institutions are requested to bring the content of this circular to the attention of all members of staff, governing bodies and school communities.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2016:01:13

Western Cape Education Department Smoking Policy, 2015  (size: 75 KB)
Western Cape Provincial Administration Smoking Policy  (size: 31 KB)