Smokers in trouble as Federal Government set to implement Law on Tobacco
Bisi Oludare
It was the World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. As part of the commemoration of the day, the Minister of health, Isaac Adewole, has announced nine regulations in the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act that would be implemented by the federal government.
It will be recalled that the National Tobacco Act was signed into law by the former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
The World health Organization (WHO) revealed that tobacco kills over seven million people annually and that it is an increasing risk factor in Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancers, and chronically obstructed pulmonary disease.
Listed are the regulations as given by the Minister of Health to be implemented:
1. Prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below age 18.
2. Ban of the sale of cigarettes in single sticks; cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only.
3. Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grammes.
4. Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through the mail, the internet, or other online devices.
5. Prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.
6. Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility, educational facility, and healthcare facility. Other places where smoking is prohibited include playgrounds, amusement parks, plazas, public parks, stadia, public transport, restaurants’ bar, and other public gathering spaces.
7. Prosecution of owner or manager of any of the places listed above who permits encourages or fails to stop smoking in the above-listed places.
8. Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of any kind.
9. Compliance with specified standards for content.
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