ERA Lauds Senate over Passage of Tobacco Bill

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has commended the Senate over yesterday’s (Tuesday) passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill, saying the legislative house has delivered a major public health tool that will save the lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco-induced deaths.

The Senate had in a unanimous vote passed the bill which was sponsored by Senator Olorunimbe Mamora representing Lagos East Senatorial District.

Mainly, the bill domesticates the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a global standard for tobacco control. Nigeria has signed and ratified the treaty.

Major highlights of the bill passed yesterday include: Ban on single sticks sale of cigarettes; ban on tobacco advertisement, sponsorship and promotions, ban on selling cigarettes to persons under the age of 18; ban on smoking of tobacco products in public places which includes airports, schools and public buildings; and regulations on manufacturing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products in Nigeria.

ERA/FoEN Director of Campaigns Akinbode Oluwafemi said: “We salute the courage of the Nigerian Senate for giving this nation a strong tool to revert growing deaths from tobacco products. Though, this has taken us so long, we are confident that this bill will save millions of our brothers and sisters from tobacco -related deaths.”

The group commended the sponsor of the bill Senator Olorunimbe Mamora for “standing firm in the dogged fight and underhand lobbying by the tobacco companies to undermine the passage of this very important bill.”

“We also rejoice with the sixth session of the Nigerian Senate because it will be remembered in the history of our nation for passing a bill which will place Nigeria on the map of other progressive countries that have initiated policies and measures reduce smoking and its attendant ill-health’s. This senate will also be remembered for passing a people oriented law which is aimed at safeguarding our public health and improving the lives of Nigerians”, Akinbode added.

He however pleaded with the leadership of the National Assembly “to fast –track the remaining legislative process to ensure that the bill is presented for presidential assents quickly.” 

 The National Tobacco Control Bill repeals the Tobacco Control smoking Act of 1990, which was promulgated under the military and championed by former Health Minister, late Olikoye Ransome Kuti. The current bill is a comprehensive law providing for regulations of supply and demand measures of tobacco products. The bill was presented on the floor of the senate for second reading in February 2009 and a public hearing was conducted in July 2009 before its eventual passage.

Passive smokers risk lung cancer, chronic diseases

As at 8.30p.m., dinner had been ready over an hour ago, yet, Mrs. Tina Coker could not contemplate having her meal behind Charles, her husband.

Having cultivated the habit of waiting for family dinner from the on set of her marriage four years ago, Tina waited. For her, it was a routine. No sooner than Charles arrived 10 minutes later than the couple had their meal. Shortly afterwards, another routine exercise was set to take place. Charles brought out cigarette from the pocket of his trousers, struck a match and lit it. As he smoked and puffed the cigarette smoke, Tina simply sat back and watched unconcerned.

Although, Tina does not smoke, living with Charles has exposed her to cigarette smoke in the last four years. The main concern, however is that it does not bother her. Tina is not the only woman that is exposed to cigarette smoke. Thousands of women in rural and urban centres are equally exposed to cigarette smoke.

Although, many may not know the negative impact of smoking cigarette, which is finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper, research has shown that the use of tobacco, in any form at all, either smoking, chewing or snuff, is quite dangerous. To raise awareness on the danger that cigarette and other tobacco products pose to health, a seminar on the impact of tobacco on health held in Lagos last week.

Tagged, Protecting Women from Tobacco Smoke, the seminar was organised by the the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The event, which brought participants from the media, civil society groups and representatives of women organisations, among others took place in Ogba, Lagos.

WHO estimates that cigarette smoking kills one-third to one half of all lifetime users, and that smokers die an average of 15 years earlier than non-smokers.

According to the world body, in 2020, tobacco use will kill six million people worldwide. More frightening is the fact that 72 per cent of them live in low and middle-income countries including Nigeria. If the trend of tobacco use continues, WHO stated that tobacco will kill seven million people annually by 2020 and more than eight million people annually by 2030.

In her presentation, a Consultant Public Health Physician at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Dr. Kemi Odukoya said smoking causes diseases not only for smokers but for those inhaling the smoke.

The risks associated with tobacco use include diseases affecting the heart and lungs, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and cancer (particularly lung, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancers).

According to a recent study, women who smoke are more likely to develop lung cancer than male smokers. Women also seem to need fewer cigarettes to do so.

Similarly, women also find it more difficult than men to quit.

Odukoya warned that the risk tobacco poses to health affects both smokers and people who inhale second hand smoke (SHS) or passive smokers. SHS also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke is the situation where people who do not smoke are exposed to tobacco smoke by people around them who smoke.

Besides, Odukoya noted that women are particularly at risk of SHS. Why are medical experts concerned about SHS?

Odukoya said inhaling smoke from other people’s cigarette is even more dangerous than individual smoking because it involves main stream smoking and side stream smoking. “Because we need to breathe to live, we keep inhaling the tobacco smoke,” she said, adding that this should be avoided.

“Though, not widely known, the effects of passive smoking can be as deadly and even the same as those who smoke directly,” stated ERA/FoEN. Most victims of second hand smoke are women and children, mostly the wives and children of those who smoke.

Others include people who work in public places such as bars with high smoking rates.

It is a fact that SHS can happen via exposure in homes, homes of friends, work places, public places including parties, parks, etc.

She urged Nigerians to advocate for smoking ban in public places and to promote smoke-free legislation.

In her presentation, Mrs Betty Abah, gender focal person, ERA/FoEN, called for speedy passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill, which is before the National Assembly.

The bill will ensure a 100 per cent smoke-free public places, ban all forms of tobacco advertisement and promotion, ban under-age smoking, ensure pictorial warnings on cigarette packs, among others.

  

 Appolonia Adeyemi

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ERA rallies women for tobacco legislation

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria(ERA/FoEN) has mobilized women to participate in the current agitation for effective tobacco control legislation in Nigeria.

In a road show tagged ‘Your Tobacco Smoke is Killing Your Woman’, ERA staff and volunteers went through major parts of Lagos including Ogba, Ikeja and Agege, distributing leaflets on how tobacco use affectswomen (as smokers or passive smokers), and other  tobacco control informational materials, and offering counselling on the dangers of smoking.

The outing which was well-received witnessed ERA staff fielding many questions from market women, drivers, bus conductors and youths among others about diseases related to smoking, how to quit smoking among others.

Mrs. Miriam John-Umeh, 33, a mother of three and business woman at Agege commended the effort. “It is very good. People are happy that an organisation is interested in enlightening fellow Nigerians about such public health issues as this. Smoking is a major problem especially among our youths and everyone, including women need to be armed with information about this menace. I gave some of the materials given  me to my neighbours,’ she said.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, ERA’s Director of Corporate Accountability and Head of Lagos office noted that the outing was one of a series of activities and events meant to mobilize Nigerians to support the National Tobacco Control Bill currently before the National Assembly.

‘We see the bill as one that should be treated with urgency considering that lives of Nigerians are involved. This is simply a matter of morality; to halt the continuous enlistment of our youths into smoking by multinational tobacco companies through aggressive marketing, to stop the unnecessary death of our women and children through passive smoking and the continuous economic denigration brought about by avoidable health expenses from tobacco-related diseases at a time that Nigerians most need economic liberation’.

Betty Abah, ERA’s Gender Focal Person and coordinator of the road show explained that it was targeted mainly at women, many of whom are ignorant of the facts about the dangers they face as passive smokers.

‘It is not just safe to say you are not a smoker. If you stay around a smoker, you will fall victim of the health consequences of his habit, such as the many cancers associated with smoking. Women either as wives of smokers or bartenders need to be really armed with this information to safeguard their health,’ Abah added that women as home builders and compassionate people are also being mobilized to help pressurise the government to implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) as contained in the bill.

The comprehensive tobacco control bill will ensure 100 percent smoke-free in public places, ban all forms of tobacco advertisement and promotion, ban underage smoking, ensure pictorial warnings on cigarette packs among others.

The event was sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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February 4 is World Cancer Day

Cancer is the leading cause of death around the world and kills more people than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. (WHO, 2007)The global burden is rising and, without action, the poorest countries will witness the largest increase in deaths.

Smoking causes cancer because of the chemicals and additives in the smoke and tar. Tar, is the cancer-causing agent in cigarette smoke. Tar is made up of over 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which are known to cause cancer. Some of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke may amaze you. Chemicals such as cyanide, benzene, ammonia and formaldehyde are in the tar of cigarettes and are let loose in your body by the smoking of cigarettes.1

Tobacco suit- Lagos State, ERA challenge stay of proceedings

Smoking youth sparks tanker fire

 

A youth smoking cigarette near two fuel tankers dispensing petrol in Abonnema Wharf, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, caused the burning of the tankers yesterday.
Residents of the area, who envisaged that the fire could spread, evacuated some of their property and family members.

People fighting a petrol tanker fire at Abonema Wharf in Port Harcourt, Rivers State ... yesterday. The fire was said to have been sparked by a cigarette. PHOTO: NAN

The state fire service battled to contain the inferno. One of the tankers was completely burnt.
A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said some youths in the area are always extorting money from the tanker drivers, or force them to part with some fuel.
Two persons, who sustained injury, were rushed to the hospital.
Riot policemen and security agents were deployed in the area, to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
The Public Relations Officer of Pathfinder, Lt. Cmdr. Edward Yeibo, described the incident as unfortunate.

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Smoke-free public places: Taking a cue from Spain

SIR: A New Year ushers in good tidings and new beginnings. For Spaniards, it was the beginning of a new era, as their government was ready to start the year on a “clean bill of health” and taking their health as top priority. On January 2, 2011, the Spanish government placed a complete ban on smoking in public places. These include bars, restaurants, casinos, workplaces, other enclosed public places and even outdoor areas such as playgrounds, hospital yards etc. Non-compliance with this ban attracts a fine of $40 and as high as $100,000 if caught three times.

Spain is not the first country to take the initiative of enacting a smoking ban to protect her citizens from the harmful effect of tobacco. Several other countries have done the same in the past, these include the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, France, Italy,  Australia, Finland, New Zealand, most states of the USA, Egypt, Uganda, to mention a few.

Safeguarding the health of the citizens is the responsibility of any people-oriented government. The ban of smoking in public places is one of the proven ways of controlling tobacco consumption and reducing tobacco-related diseases and deaths.

Over 167 countries are signatories to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which is a treaty with several articles aimed at achieving global tobacco control. Nigeria who ratified the FCTC guidelines in 2004 is presently yet to pass the tobacco control bill and also lacks a comprehensive tobacco control structure.

Smoke-free environment helps to de-normalise tobacco smoking, protects non-smokers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and helps current smokers to consider quitting. Consequently, individuals, government and insurance companies would spend less income treating tobacco-related diseases. The products of the tobacco industry are generally known and even self-acclaimed to be addictive and injurious to one’s health, causing several health conditions. In simple terms, the tobacco industry is a threat to the health sector of any country. Therefore, a comprehensive tobacco control structure should be put in place to control tobacco consumption in Nigeria.

Arguments such as unemployment that could result from the enactment of smoke-free public places legislation are largely baseless. This is because it’s been widely reported that enforcement of this ban in other countries has shown no negative economic impact and in fact, some economic gains were noted in the long term. Conversely, such countries have experienced a significant drop in the smoking population and an evidence-based improvement in the health of the citizens.

As a nation, our true asset is our health and this should be guarded jealously. Let’s prevail on the National Assembly to pass the Nigeria National Tobacco Control Bill before the expiration of this current dispensation.  It’s a new year and we could take a cue from Spain!

 

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