Nigeria: NTCA Condemns Batn''s Alleged Sabotage of Lagos Anti-Smoking Law

Source from:  Daily Independent (Lagos)  09/05/2014

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance has condemned the British America Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) over its alleged efforts to sabotage tobacco control laws in Nigeria by marrying insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country to the control.

While signaling the undermining of the Lagos State anti-public smoking law by BATN, the group warned that the state should shun any interference in its implementation of the law against public smoking.

The group made reference to the recent workshop reportedly organised by BATN for the police.

The group's manager, Adejuwon Oluwagbenga, said; "The tobacco industry is trying to undermine Lagos State implementation of the banning of smoking in public places.

"This cannot be done, this is against the international treaty that Nigeria has signed and rectify.

"We cannot afford the tobacco industry playing a major role in the law that goes against their product. So we can now see from the other side of the coin which they are coming from to water down the effectiveness of this law.

"Two weeks ago, they organised a workshop for law enforcement agency, to say this is how the law is, this is how you should do your work.

"We believe this can not be done, it is not a welcome development." Enditem