Two years after, Senate passes Tobacco Control Bill

The Senate yesterday banned tobacco adverts and smoking in public places as it passed the National Tobacco Control Bill.

It passed the bill about 25months after its presentation.

The bill, sponsored by  Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, domesticates the World Health Organisation (WHO) initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a global treaty for tobacco control, which the country ratified some years ago.

Major highlights of the bill include:  ban on tobacco advertisement, sponsorship and promotions, ban on selling cigarettes to persons under 18, ban on smoking of tobacco products in public places which include airports, schools and public buildings, warning messages on tobacco packs and regulations on manufacturing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products in Nigeria.

The Bill repeals the Tobacco Control Smoking Act of 1990, which was promulgated under the military and championed by former Health Minister, the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti. 

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) praised the Senate for the passage, saying the Upper Chamber has delivered a major public health tool that will save the lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco-induced deaths.


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ERA lauds Senate over passage of tobacco bill

THE Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has commended members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly for passing the National Tobacco Control bill yesterday.
The non-governmental organisation said the lawmakers have  delivered a major public health tool that will save the lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco-induced deaths.
The senators 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 (WHO) initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a global standard for tobacco control. The country  has signed and ratified the treaty.
Highlights of the bill passed yesterday include:  a 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 include airports, schools and public buildings;  warning messages on tobacco packs and regulations on manufacturing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products in the country.

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Group commends passage of tobacco bill

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN) has commended the Senate over passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill. They say the lawmakers have delivered a major public health tool that will save the lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco-induced deaths.

According to the group, “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 had earlier lamented the delay by the National Assembly in passing the law of the National Tobacco Control Bill, saying that delay in the passage of the bill may cost the nation more tobacco-related deaths.

Senate to be remembered

“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 progressive countries that have initiated policies and measures to reduce smoking and its attendant health risks. 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,” the group said in a press statement made available to NEXT. The national tobacco bill bans the sales of single sticks of cigarettes, tobacco advertisement, sponsorship, promotions, selling cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 and smoking of tobacco products in public places.

The group however, urged the leadership of the National Assembly “to fast-track the remaining legislative process to ensure that the bill is presented for presidential assent quickly.”

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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.

WHO, Others Back Tobacco Control Bill

By Laolu Adeyemi

THE Public Hearing on the National Tobacco Control Bill conducted this week by the Iyabo Obasanjo Bello-led Senate Health Committee has generated commendations from international agencies and non-governmental groups.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, represented at the Public hearing by Dr. Kayode Soyinka, commended the Senate for taking steps to rescue the lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco addiction.
"We fully support this effort which is to domesticate the WHO- initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Nigeria became a party to this convention in October 2005 and this bill fully conforms to the provisions of the international treaty," the WHO Representative said.
A leading tobacco control group in the United States, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CFTK), in a memorandum to the Public Hearing signed by its President, Matt Myers, expressed full support for the bill "in its current form" and urged the Senate to pass it swiftly.
CTFK said: "The National Tobacco Control Bill is essential to bringing Nigeria into compliance with its international obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Nigeria ratified in October 2005.
"Under the FCTC, Nigeria is obliged, among other things, to protect the health of its citizens by prohibiting smoking in public places, workplaces, public transport, and other appropriate places; to impose a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products; and to require strong and prominent health warnings on tobacco products."
Another US-based group, Corporate Accountability International (CAI) commended the Senate's move to domesticate the FCTC, pointing out that urgent and bold actions are needed to stem rising tobacco - related deaths across the world 80 per cent, which occur in the Global South.
The corporate accountability group, in a letter to members of the Senate Health Committee and signed by its International Policy Director, Kathryn Mulvey, however, urged the Senate to, in accordance with Article 5. 3 of the FCTC, incorporate measures to protect the tobacco control law from interference from tobacco industry.
"Full implementation of the FCTC in Nigeria and around the world will save millions of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally," CAI stressed.
Also, the Africa Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), the umbrella body of groups and institutions working on tobacco control in Africa, in a letter signed by its Chairperson, Racheal Kitonyo noted that Nigeria is not alone in the quest to domesticate FCTC provisions, noting; " Nigeria would be following the lead of other African countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Mauritius that have already begun implementation of FCTC provisions."
At the public hearing, which ended on Tuesday, over 40 civil society groups sent in memoranda to support the bill. The Public Hearing also featured statements of support from eminent Nigerians including Nigeria's Minister of Heath, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin represented by a Director at the Ministry, Dr. Mike Anibueze; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Umaru Modibo, former Attorney General of Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, the wife of immediate past Chief Justice of the Federation, Mrs. Maryan Uwais, among others. SOURCE

Group hails senate over tobacco bill

APPLAUSE came the way of the Senate yesterday over its public hearing on National Tobacco Bill held this week from both local and international organisations. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, represented at the Public hearing by Dr Kayode Soyinka, commended the legislative chamber for taking steps to rescue the lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco addiction.
" We fully support this effort which is to domesticate the WHO- initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Nigeria became a Party to this Convention in October 2005 and this bill fully conforms to the provisions of the international treaty," the WHO Representative said.
A leading tobacco control group in the United States, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CFTK) in a
memorandum to the Public Hearing signed by its President, Matt Myers, expressed full support for the bill "in its current form" and urged the Senate to pass it swiftly. CTFK said: "The National Tobacco Control Bill is essential to bring Nigeria into compliance with its international obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Nigeria ratified in October 2005."
"Under the FCTC, Nigeria is obliged, among other things; to protect the health of its citizens by prohibiting smoking in public places, workplaces, public transport, and other appropriate places; to impose a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products; and to require strong and prominent health warnings on tobacco products," it added.
Another US-based group, Corporate Accountability International (CAI) commended the Senate's move to domesticate the FCTC, pointing out that urgent and bold actions are needed to stem rising tobacco - related deaths across the world 80 per cent of which occur in the Global South.
The corporate accountability group, in a letter to members of the Senate Health Committee and signed by its International Policy Director, Kathryn Mulvey, however, urged the Senate to in accordance with Article 5. 3 of the FCTC incorporate measures to protect the tobacco control law from interference from tobacco industry. SOURCE