Auwal Rafsanjani, CISLAC
Executive Director of The National Tobacco Control Bill
Coalition has commended
President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of the group ( comprising the
Civil Society
Legislative Advocacy Centre,
Environmental Rights Action/
Friends of the Earth Nigeria, and
the Nigeria Tobacco Control
Coalition) for
signing the National Tobacco
Control Bill, labelling it an
extraordinary public health
legacy.
"We salute the courage of
President Jonathan in signing
this bill into law, ignoring
overtures by the tobacco
industry to frustrate every effort
to enact a comprehensive
tobacco control legislation in
Nigeria," he said.
Meanwhile, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Director
Corporate Accountability
Campaigns, noted that more
work needs to be done in
ensuring that every Nigerian is
protected from the harmful
effects of tobacco.
"This bill is however providing
Nigeria the necessary framework
for action both at the local, state
and national levels," Mr.
Oluwafemi said.
"Tobacco is major public health
challenge and it is a welcome
relief that Nigeria has finally join
the league of nations that have
taken proactive steps to protect
their citizens."
Also, Gbenga Adejuwon, Project
Manager, NTCA, urged
government to immediately
provide mechanisms that will ensure smooth
implementation of the
Tobacco
Control Law which include ban of
smoking in public places, ban of sale of
cigarette in single sticks, ban of
sale of tobacco products to
minors, ban of
tobacco advertising sponsorship
and promotion, mandatory warning
messages on cigarette packs
among others.
"We want to thank Mr. President
for signing the bill into law," Mr.
Adejuwon said.
"The immediate action should be
on implementation. We want to
see the Ministry of Health rising
up to the occasion by leading all
stakeholders for effective
implementation of the law.
"The National Tobacco Control
Law is aimed at regulating the
production, sale, marketing and
consumption of tobacco
products in Nigeria."
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