Pass Strong and Enforceable National Tobacco Control Bill, Groups Tell Reps
As the House of Representatives begins a clause by clause debate on the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB), the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) have called on the members of the House to ensure a strong and enforceable bill that puts the health of Nigerians first.
The groups also tasked the lawmakers on ensuring that the bill which must conform with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) gets the Presidential signature before the end of the seventh National Assembly.
In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN Director, Corporate Accountability and Administration, Akinbode Oluwafemi said: “As members of the House resume seating after the elections to deliberate on key issues bothering on the nation we are renewing our call that they pass the NTCB into law without further delays”
“We reiterate that the health of our citizens hangs in the balance as our lawmakers delay the passage of the bill. For the tobacco industry this delay is very welcome as it would enable them hook more smokers to their deadly wares”
CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani said: “As the lawmakers deliberate on the bill we also urge them to be on their guard for more misleading articles, and reports by tobacco companies aimed at thwarting a strong and effective law.”
The groups said a NTCB that is in conformity with the WHO-FCTC must prohibit all forms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by tobacco companies, adoption of higher taxes and price measures to reduce tobacco consumption going by global studies that have shown that higher tobacco prices encourage cessation among existing tobacco users, while preventing initiation among potential users.
It must also ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship and enact 100 per cent smoke-free laws that prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places (including restaurants, bars and other hospitality venues) and public transport. There should be no room for Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs).
Other recommendations include prominent graphic health (picture) warnings on tobacco packages covering 75 per cent of the principal display areas and exclusion of the tobacco industry from tobacco control policies and implementation, among others.
