Group Seeks Priority for Nigeria''s Tobacco Control Bill

Source from:  Premium Times  03/19/2014

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, NTCA, has urged the National Assembly to give necessary attention and action to the National Tobacco Control Bill, NTCB, and ensure its passage before April.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the NTCA Interim National Coordinator, Lanre Oginni, said the tobacco control bill should begin before electioneering campaign at the national level takes off in full swing.

"We are worried about the slow pace of work on this Bill, which was originally passed by the 6th National Assembly. We had expected a fast track passage , but here we are again.

"This is a public health bill that will save the lives of several million lives from tobacco addiction and associated ill health and death, it is a matter of national priority.

"It is the responsibility of parliament to ensure that it makes law to promote healthy lifestyle for the citizens. Such laws must be made timely and with the necessary implementation mechanisms," Mr. Oginni said.

The group recalled that the NTCB was passed in 2011 but did not receive presidential assent, warning "every time we delay, we put the lives of Nigerian children, women and even adults at risk of preventable death."

Nigeria signed and ratified the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in 2004 and 2005. As a Party to the FCTC, Nigeria is obligated to domesticate the treaty .

The FCTC includes a range of provisions to reduce demand and supply of tobacco products including comprehensive ban of tobacco advertisement, sponsorship, and promotion warning messages to include pictures and pictograms on tobacco packs, comprehensive ban of smoking in public places, increased taxes among others.

"We expect our national legislators to follow the example of Lagos state and fast track this bill. Nigerians have waited for too long for this bill

"Instead of the disturbing slow pace of work, we need more attention on this bill we need both Houses to pass the bill quickly and present it for Presidential assent," Mr. Oginni added.

The NTCA, the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) is a network of Civil Society Groups (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and several professionals.The Alliance is concerned and interested in human rights, public health, cancer, and tobacco control with a view to ensuring qualitative health; sustainable human development; and good governance for all Nigerians. Enditem