The World No Tobacco Day was marked in,Nigeria with the Nation's Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, announcing nine regulations in the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act that would be implemented by the federal government.
The implementation of The National
Tobacco Control Act which was signed into law in 2015 by former President
Goodluck Jonathan had been slow because the draft Regulations need the National
Assembly approval.
The theme for this year’s event,
‘Tobacco: A Threat to Development,’ aims at highlighting the link between
tobacco use and development as well as show that tobacco control can break the
cycle of poverty, contribute to ending hunger, promote sustainable agriculture
and economic growth, and combat climate change.
Meanwhile, the World Health
Organization had revealed that tobacco kills over seven million people
annually, and is an increasing risk factor in non-communicable (NCDs),
including cardiovascular disease, cancers and chronic obstructed pulmonary
disease.
Below are the regulations listed by the
minister to be implemented:
1. Prohibition of the sale of tobacco
products to and by anyone below age 18.
2. Ban of 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 mail, 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 prohibited for smoking 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.
Ukorebi
Esien
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