Hi everyone,
My name is Thomas van Huyssteen, and I lead the South Africa work for the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI). We’re an independent, international public-health initiative focused on providing clear, evidence-based information about tobacco and nicotine, especially for people who are trying to quit or support others who are quitting.
We run a free, public dashboard with up-to-date South Africa–specific information on:
• Tobacco prevalence and use patterns
• The real health impacts of smoking
• New and emerging nicotine products (e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.)
• Illicit trade and misleading industry claims
• Tobacco taxation and affordability
• Tobacco industry interference and tactics
• Tobacco agriculture and livelihoods
You can explore everything here: https://southafrica.tobaccocontroldata.org/en
Alongside the dashboard, we also share:
• Short, easy-to-understand explainer videos
• Myth-busting summaries on vaping, nicotine, and quitting
• Monthly updates on tobacco control news in South Africa
• Plain-language policy briefs that explain what’s really going on behind the scenes
We work closely with trusted public-health organisations and the South African Department of Health, and we’re completely independent of the tobacco industry. Our goal is simple: to make sure people who want to quit have access to honest, science-based information — not marketing or misinformation.
If you’re trying to quit, supporting someone who is, or just want reliable facts about smoking, vaping, or nicotine in South Africa, please feel free to explore the site — and you’re very welcome to reach out to us directly if there’s any information you’re struggling to find.
Wishing everyone here strength and success on their quit journeys - every step counts.
Warm regards,
Thomas van Huyssteen
TCDI South Africa: https://southafrica.tobaccocontroldata.org/en