Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
NEWS ALERT: 5 million to die from tobacco-related diseases
Lagos-With over five million people estimated to die from tobacco related diseases globally this year, the Lagos State government has set up a multi-sectoral committee to begin massive enlightenment campaign to reduce consumption and discourage smoking of all tobacco products in the state.
This came on the heels of recent concurrent passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill by the National Assembly.
The Tobacco Bill makes it mandatory to affix health warnings on tobacco product packs, bans the sale of cigarettes to minors (under 18 years), strictly regulate tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion, prohibites smoking in public places and the introduction of regulations on the manufacture, distribution and marketing of tobacco products in the country.
Briefing newsmen in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, said the committee was part of the state government commitment to ensure that Nigerians were not part of the estimated five million people, who will die from tobacco use.
Olugbile at the briefing to mark this year’s ‘World No Tobacco Day’ WNTD, noted that members of the committee were drawn from relevant line ministries, private sector, civil society and the media and will come up with comprehensive multi-sectoral measures to reduce consumption of tobacco products.
Monday, June 6, 2011
ERA praises Reps over concurrent passage of Tobacco Bill
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.
SOURCE
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Reps stop work on PIB, pass tobacco bill
Senate, ACN ask Jonathan to reposition security agencies
THE House of Representatives yesterday at plenary session stopped further consideration of the report submitted by its joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) Gas Resources and Justice on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
But the House passed the Tobacco Control Bill, a move hailed by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) and activists under the aegis of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) that described the passage as a milestone in the history of public health in the country.
The passage of the Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora-led sponsored Bill by both Houses of Assembly, following similar passage by the Senate on March 15, 2011, has also placed Nigeria on the global map of countries that have domesticated the Frame-work Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), ERA/FoEN Director of Corporate Accountability and Administration, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said in a statement.
The development came as humanity marked the World No Tobacco Day 2011 (WNTD) yesterday.
The NHF said the Bill will ensure the reversal of increasing deaths and the protection of non-smoking public from the dangers associated with cigarette smoking, and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to speedily assent to the Bill so that it can become a law.
.... CONT'D @ SOURCE
But the House passed the Tobacco Control Bill, a move hailed by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) and activists under the aegis of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) that described the passage as a milestone in the history of public health in the country.The passage of the Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora-led sponsored Bill by both Houses of Assembly, following similar passage by the Senate on March 15, 2011, has also placed Nigeria on the global map of countries that have domesticated the Frame-work Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), ERA/FoEN Director of Corporate Accountability and Administration, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said in a statement.
The development came as humanity marked the World No Tobacco Day 2011 (WNTD) yesterday.
The NHF said the Bill will ensure the reversal of increasing deaths and the protection of non-smoking public from the dangers associated with cigarette smoking, and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to speedily assent to the Bill so that it can become a law.
.... CONT'D @ SOURCE
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