Group commends lawmakers over passage of Tobacco Bill

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), has commended the concurrent passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. It described as a milestone in the history of public health in Nigeria.

As the world marked the World No Tobacco Day on the 31st of May, the Lower House gave concurrent passage to the bill, which was sponsored by Olorunnimbe Mamora (ACN - Lagos East) and had been passed by the Senate on March 15, 2011.

A laudable move

The passage of the bill by both Houses has also placed Nigeria on the global map of countries that have domesticated the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the group pointed out.

“We commend the forthrightness of the House of Reps 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 wellbeing,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, ERA/FoEN’s director of corporate accountability & administration.

“Though this took long to come, we are in no doubt that this bill will stem the gale of tobacco-related deaths,” continued Mr Oluwafemi. “We cheer the House of Reps 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 Reps will also be remembered for taking a bold step that will safeguard the health of Nigerians today and in the future,” Mr Oluwafemi added.

He, however, urged the President to append his signature without delay to the Tobacco Law and also see to the prompt constitution of a National Tobacco Control Committee to guide its enforcement.

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 relating to tobacco products.

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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/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.