The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has commended the concurrent passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill by the House of Representatives yesterday, describing it as a milestone in the history of public health in Nigeria.
The passage of the Bill by both the Senate and House of Representatives has also placed Nigeria on the global map of countries that have domesticated the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). ERA/FoEN Director of Senate and House of Representatives, Akinbode Oluwafemi said: “We commend the forthrightness of the House of Representatives for seizing the opportunity of this year’s commemoration of the World No Tobacco Day to give this nation a law with far-reaching consequences on our well-being. Though this took long to come, we are in no doubt that this bill will stem the gale of tobacco -related deaths.
“We cheer the House of Representatives and the honourable lawmakers who deemed it fit to stamp their feet in the annals of history by passing a bill which will reduce smoking and its attendant health risks. This House of Representatives will also be remembered for taking a bold step that will safeguard the health of Nigerians today and in the future.” He however urged the President to quickly append his signature to the Tobacco Law and the prompt constitution of a National Tobacco Control Committee which will guide its enforcement.
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