More than 42 000 annual deaths in SA are attributed to tobacco use, the Cancer Association of SA (Cansa) said at the Health Portfolio Committee's public hearing in Cape Town on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Health Department said it welcomed submissions on tighter tobacco control from various organisations including Cansa, the SA Medical Association and the University of Cape Town Health Economics Unit.

The hearings are aimed at amending section 76 of the Tobacco Control Amendment Bill 2008 to bring it in line with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, amongst others.

Among the proposals the department was making to the Portfolio Committee was the introduction of picture-based warnings on packets as part of promoting awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.

It would also propose the prohibition of free distribution of tobacco products as part of advertising, marketing and promotion by manufacturers and distributors.

In his submission to the committee, Evan Blecher of the University of Cape Town Health Economics Unit dismissed claims by the tobacco industry that tighter control of tobacco products led to the shrinking of the agricultural sector and the erosion of the tax base.

He said tobacco control in the country had not had any impact on the income of the hospitality industry such as restaurants.

Cansa submitted that all forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products must be banned in order to help prevent young people from starting to smoke.

It said more than 42 000 annual deaths were attributed to tobacco use in the country, based on the Medical Research Council's studies.