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ERAFoEN laments Dantong’s death

Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has described the killing of Gyang Dantong, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, as a great loss to public health.

In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN said the death of the Senator was wicked, condemnable and a sad reference on how security has degenerated in the country.

“Senator Datong’s murder, along with others, is shocking and very sad indeed. It is another illustration of how our dear Nigeria is sliding dangerously,” said ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Nnimmo Bassey.

According to ERA/FoEN Director, Corporate Accountability Campaigns, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Dantong would be remembered for his contributions to the upliftment of public health, particularly tobacco control.

“ERA/FoEN has worked closely with Senator Dangtong for over eight years since his days as a member of the House of Representative.

“He was a perfect gentleman who cannot hurt a fly. He was a dependable ally during the debates on the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB), which was passed by the Sixth Assembly.

ERA/FoEN also called on government to take drastic actions to arrest the deplorable security situation across the country, saying the killing of a serving Senator is an indicaton that “government is not on top of the situation.”

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Dantong’s death great loss to public health, says ERA/FoEN

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has described the killing of Senator Gyang Dantong, chair of the Senate Committee on Health as a great loss to public health.

Dantong, Honorable Gyang Fulani, the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly and several others were shot by unknown gunmen during the burial of people killed during a recent violence in Jos. The incident took place at Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN said the death of the Senator was wicked, condemnable and a sad reference on how security has degenerated in the country.

"Senator Datong's murder along with others is shocking and very sad indeed. It is another illustration of how our dear Nigeria is sliding dangerously," said ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Nnimmo Bassey.

According to ERA/FoEN Director, Corporate Accountability Campaigns, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Senator Dantong will be remembered for his contributions to the upliftment of public health, particularly tobacco control.

"ERA/FoEN has worked closely with Senator Dangtong for over eight years since his days as a member of the House of Representative. He was a perfect gentleman who cannot hurt a fly. He was a dependable ally during the debates the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) which was passed by the Sixth Assembly.

Oluwafemi added: “while we pray to God to give his family the fortitude to bear this great loss. We urge the federal government to commence immediate investigation of the circumstances surrounding his death and bring perpetrators to Justice.”

ERA/FoEN also called on government to take drastic actions to arrest the deplorable security situation across the country, saying the killing of a serving Senator is indicative of the fact that “government is not on top of the situation.”

Memoir: Senator Daylop Dantong (1957-2012)

A major tragedy struck the tobacco control community this Sunday July 8th, 2012 with the killing of Senator Daylop Dantong, the Chair of the Senate Committee of Health. Senator Dantong it was learnt was killed during the burial of people killed during the July 7th, 2012 violence in Jos.

I have worked with Senator Dangtong for over eight years since his days as a member of the House of Representative.

He was Deputy to Senator Iyabo and was a key champion of the National Tobacco Control Bill which was was later passed by the Sixth National Assembly.

With the endless wait for Presidential assent of the National Tobacco Control Bill, Senator Dantong had initiated consultation with ERA/FoEN about how to fast track the re-passage of the Bill.

I always recall how Senator Dantong held my hands after the Public Hearing battle, saying “this was a good battle, Bode keep fighting., keep fighting.”

During our last meeting (attended by Zanelle) Senator Dantong spoke with me about the spate of insecurity in his home state and how prominent citizens can no longer visit.

I believe his last visit must have been to sympatise with the families of those killed during the violence and to again seek solution to crisis on the Plateau.

On friday, two of our staff. Seun Akioye and Philip Jakpor were at the national assembly to attend a meeting initiated by him to discuss the re-passage of the bill. Though he was not at the meeting because he had to rush home for this funeral, he spoke with them on phone again pledging his commitment to the bill. As a matter of fact, we just sent a letter to his office to request a meeting with the team coming to discuss the bill next week.

Senator Dantong has been our strong pillar and one of the few we could count on.

This is a great loss to Nigeria and the tobacco control community.  - Akinbode Oluwafemi

Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong was born March 2, 1957. He attended the University of Jos where he bagged the MBBS degree to become a medical practitioner and also got the MPH from the University of Ghana, Legon.

Prior to his foray into politics, he was the Medical Director, Vom Christian Hospital. The late Senator Dantong was elected member, House of Representatives in the 5th Assembly (2003-2007). He was elected into the Senate in 2007 to represent Plateau North Senatorial District during the 6th Assembly (2007-2011). He was returned to the Senate in 2011.

Senator Dantong was made the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health.

He was also a member of the Senate Committees on Aviation and Solid Minerals as well as the newly created Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.

Late Senator Dantong was  calm and easy going, just as he was so passionate about how to improve the health situation in Nigeria.

 Additional Report

Campaign Against Tobacco Smoking

THIS year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) held recently has again brought to the fore the necessity to seriously address long-standing issue of smoking and its health implications in Nigeria. Over the years, tobacco smoking has been associated with grave health problems well-known to the tobacco companies as well as many consumers of the product, who suffer the deleterious consequences.

But business considerations on the part of the companies on the one hand; and addiction, coupled with ignorance on the part of most consumers, particularly in the developing world, on the other hand, threaten the anti tobacco smoking campaign and render it a herculean task. Worse still is the confirmed fact that non-smokers are exposed to even more critical health problems from passive smoking, all of which should spur the authorities to increase their effort to protect the citizens from preventable death.

Due of its alarming public health effects, tobacco smoking has been banned in many places in the developed world. Interestingly, the United States and many European countries are at the forefront of the fight against tobacco smoking. It would appear that the tobacco companies are consequently shifting ground and targeting poor African countries with teeming youthful population.

These issues formed the plank in this year’s anti-tobacco day. The World Health Organization (WHO) used the occasion to reiterate the dangers of tobacco smoking and the efforts being made to protect populations around the world. WHO’s estimate that tobacco smoking would kill more than eight million people annually by 2030 is frightening, showing that the battle against tobacco is far from being won. And this is attributable to the aggressive marketing strategy of tobacco manufacturers.

Assertive adverts displayed on any available media space portray false satisfaction to smokers. The caution on tobacco packs that cigarette smoking can kill or is injurious to health does not seem to restrain the addicts, and is often inconspicuously displayed. Millions are dying silently every year from tobacco related health problems. It has been found that tobacco is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Sadly, there is no reliable statistics on the deaths or illnesses caused by tobacco smoking in Nigeria to enable the health authorities take full control measures.

WHO has reportedly released a technical brief based on the 2008 guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 of the 2003 WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to help guide countries on ways to combat “tobacco industry interference” in the anti-tobacco campaign.  According to the organisation’s Director General, Dr. Margaret Chan, “In recent years, multinational tobacco companies have been shamelessly fuelling a series of legal actions against governments that have been in the forefront of the war against tobacco”.

She noted that the industry is now stepping out of shadow into court rooms, thereby making it imperative for a united effort to support governments that have the courage to do the right thing to protect their citizens. Unfortunately, corruption is a potent factor that would hinder some governments. Corrupt government officials who should engage the tobacco companies may be compromised thereby defeating the effort of government.

The tobacco industry is a big mafia made up of rich multinational operators with the capacity to fight back against perceived blackmail of their products using all manner of tactics to achieve their aim. This resistance poses a serious challenge against governments and the anti tobacco campaign, which are nevertheless urged to resist the antics of the tobacco companies. In the words of Dr. Douglas Bettcher, Director of WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative, “national leaders should resist these tactics and use the full force of the Convention to protect the hard-won gains to safeguard people’s health from the scourge of tobacco”.

It is worrisome that multinational tobacco companies that were finding it increasingly difficult to operate in the developed world are relocating to Africa and other developing regions of the world, cashing in on the apparently weak and corrupt governments, and the good market prospects they found in the teeming youthful population, which are obvious targets.

In Nigeria, the big tobacco manufacturers are mounting resistance against any move to discourage the smoking habit. One such company, the other day, rejected the accusations of “industry interference” in public health policy making, as charged by WHO and anti-tobacco campaigners promoting the “World No Tobacco Day”. It has consistently defended what it perceives as “its right to engage transparently on issues affecting its legitimate business selling a legal, highly regulated product that mainly adults choose to use”. Surely this resistance is tantamount to waging a silent war on the citizenry.

There is need for more public enlightenment on the dangers of tobacco smoking. Government should use media adverts, radio and TV jingles, as well as bill boards to discourage people from smoking. People should be told that nicotine is a poison and its addiction is dangerous to health and could lead to early death. They should be educated that the life style portrayed in tobacco adverts is false and leads to no benefits.

Finally, government should curb the activities of the tobacco companies. No responsible government would sit back and allow the unrestrained production and sale of products that are injurious to the populace. The Federal Government should resist the flooding of the Nigerian market with tobacco products that were banned in other countries.

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Tobacco smoke exposes children to chronic respiratory diseases – Study

As the World Health Organisation celebrates the World No Tobacco Day, MAUREEN AZUH examines a study that focuses on the hazards of exposing children to tobacco smoke

 On Thursday, May 31, the World Health Organisation celebrated the World No Tobacco Day with the theme ‘Tobacco Industry Interference’. The campaign focused on the need to expose and counter the perceived tobacco industry’s attempt to undermine WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control — WHO FCTC — because of the danger they pose to public health.

According to reports by WHO, tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people yearly, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. The reports indicate that unless a drastic action is taken, it will kill up to eight million people by 2030 and 40 million people — who also suffer from tuberculosis — by 2020 of which more than 80 per cent  will live in low- and middle-income countries.

But beyond WHO’s report and campaign, researchers in their bid to find a lasting solution to tobacco-related diseases say children exposed to tobacco smoke may face long-term respiratory problems. In a report by the American Thoracic Society, published online on May 20, 2012,  it was found that there are potential health risks associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke – ETS – especially among children whose parents smoke.

The study conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona, US indicates that the health risks persist beyond childhood, and are independent of whether or not the individuals involved end up becoming smokers in life.  The researchers posit that exposure to parental smoking increases the risk of the persistence of respiratory symptoms from childhood into adulthood independent of personal smoking.

Research specialist at the university, Juliana Pugmire, says “persistent respiratory illness in childhood and young adulthood could indicate an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness and lung function deficits in later life.”

Pugmire notes that earlier studies established a link between parental smoking and childhood respiratory illness, but the current one seeks to demonstrate whether these effects persist into adulthood.

 “A handful of studies examined whether children exposed to parental smoking had asthma that developed or persisted in adulthood but most did not find an association. We examined asthma as well as other respiratory symptoms and found that exposure to parental smoking had the strongest association with cough and chronic cough that persisted into adult life. Exposure to parental smoking also had effects, although weaker, on persistent wheezing and asthma in adulthood,” she says.

The researchers drew data from the Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease, a large, population-based, prospective study initiated in 1972 that enrolled 3,805 individuals from 1,655 households in the Tucson area,  in an effort to assess prevalence rates and risk factors of respiratory and other chronic diseases.

Participants were asked to complete questionnaires that were issued every two years until 1996. But for the present study, the researchers used data from 371 individuals who were enrolled in the TESAOD as children.

Pugmire and her colleagues looked at the reported prevalence of active asthma, wheeze, cough and chronic cough, which was defined as a persistent cough that had occurred for three consecutive months. They divided the data into four categories: never, which included individuals who had not reported that symptom during childhood or adulthood; incident, which included individuals who had never reported the symptom in childhood, but had reported at least one incident in adulthood; remittent, including participants who reported at least one incident in childhood and none in adulthood; and persistent, which included individuals who had at least one report of a symptom during both childhood and adulthood.

With the data, the researchers determined that 52.3 per cent of children included in the current study were exposed to ETS between birth and 15 years. After adjustments for sex, age, years of follow-up and personal smoking status, the researchers found that ETS exposure in childhood was significantly associated with several persistent respiratory symptoms, including persistent wheeze, cough and chronic cough.

Pugmire states that persistent wheezing from childhood into adult life has been shown to be associated with lung function deficits. Chronic bronchitis – defined as chronic cough and phlegm – is a significant risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development later in life.

“The persistence of symptoms like chronic cough and wheeze into young adulthood may indicate a susceptibility to lung function deficits and chronic respiratory illness with age,” she adds.

Perhaps in a likely search for a lasting solution to the menace of tobacco smoking, yet another study says anti-Tobacco television adverts may help adults to stop smoking. The study published in the online journal, American Journal of Public Health, in April, finds that though some adverts may be more effective than others, all anti-tobacco television advertising help reduce adult smoking.

The study looked at the relationship between adults’ smoking behaviours and their exposure to adverts sponsored by states; private foundations; tobacco companies themselves or by pharmaceutical companies marketing smoking-cessation products. The researchers  analysed variables such as smoking status, intentions to quit smoking, attempts to quit in the past year, and average daily cigarette consumption. The report says they found that in markets with higher exposure to state-sponsored media campaigns, “smoking is less, and intentions to quit are higher.”

The researchers, however, say an unexpected finding of the study was that adults who were in areas with more adverts for pharmaceutical cessation products were less likely to make an attempt to quit.

Meanwhile,  as WHO and other countries move to fully meet their obligations and counter tobacco industry’s efforts to undermine the treaty,  the World No Tobacco Day 2012 – according to WHO – educated policy-makers and the general public about the tobacco industry’s nefarious and harmful tactics, as well as reinforce health warnings of tobacco.

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Battling tobacco trading

• ERA/FoEN wants tobacco bill signed

THE National Tobacco Control Bill, passed by the Senate on March 15, 2011, and concurred by the Lower House on May 31, 2011 (World No Tobacco Day), which in July, 2009, had its   public hearing conducted by the senate and attracted more than 40 civil society groups, including groups from the tobacco industry who were against the bill; still awaits the assent of the president. However, the bill takes a forefront in improving the health of the general public. The bill which repeals the Tobacco (Control) Act 1990 CAP. T16 Laws of the Federation is aimed at domesticating the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The keys highlights of the bill are prohibition of smoking in public places; to include restaurant and bar, public transportation, schools, hospitals etc. A ban on all forms of direct and indirect advertising, prohibition of sales of cigarette 1000-meter radius of areas designated as non-smoking, mass awareness about the danger of smoking as well as the formation of committee that will guide government on the issue of tobacco control in the country.

It prohibits all forms of tobacco advertisement, sponsorships and promotions, endorsements or testimonials, sales promotions. Prohibition of the sale of tobacco products 1,000 meter radius places designated as non smoking and empowers government to use litigation to recoup liabilities related to tobacco consumption. 

Spreading Tobacco scourge

Even as tobacco death toll soars beyond 6 million, big tobacco industries have stepped up its efforts to prevent tobacco control laws from taking effect. Highly visible examples include lawsuits by Phillip Morris International and its competitors against countries like Austrialia, Norway and Uruguay for implementing strong tobacco control laws.

“Big Tobacco is very publicly bullying countries in hopes they will cave, their neighbours will cave, and treaty implementation will cave,” said Kelle Louaillier, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability International.

World Health Assembly resolution on transparency in tobacco control process, citing the findings of the Committee of Experts on Tobacco Industry Documents, states that “the tobacco industry has operated for years with the express intention of subverting the role of governments and WHO in implementing public health policies to combat the tobacco epidemic.”

For example, in an attempt to halt the adoption of pictorial health warnings on packages of tobacco, the industry recently adopted the novel tactic of suing countries under bilateral investment treaties, claiming that the warnings impinge the companies' attempts to use their legally-registered brands.

Meanwhile, the industry's attempts to undermine the treaty continue on other fronts, particularly with regard to countries' attempts to ban smoking in enclosed public places and to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.  Tobacco advertising and promotions are everywhere. 

Despite the ban on smoking in public places, there are still promotions of cigarette smoking in clubs, parties, rural areas and sharing of gifts.  

For instance, the British American Tobacco of Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) aimed at  improving the quality of life of citizens in rural and urban areas of Nigeria through sustainable poverty alleviation, agricultural development,  potable water, environmental protection and vocational skills acquisition  are ways to get into the heart of the masses which will inturn promote cigarette smoking. 

BAT is also involved with sport sponsoring, especially football which is popular in Nigeria. FIFA's decision to prohibit tobacco ads in sports grounds and on the players shirts was only for the World cup. 

However, an odd thing is the simultaneous presence of advertising for Marlboro while nobody holds a distributing license for Marlboro in Nigeria.   

The Environment Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) states that Tobacco industry interference is to weaken law to ensure they never get enacted and to undermine those laws.

“Even though the law didn't specify the public places but they have been moving around to kiosks, hotels, advertise with sharing umbrellas, commissioning of borehole. Tobacco company should be held responsible for both the environmental, economic, health and social cost,” said Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Director, Corporate Accountability and Administration.

He referred to the Tobacco companies humanitarian gestures as being against the health of the ublic. “These gestures are not strictly humanitarian gestures; most companies act for the benefit of mankind but Tobacco Company is acting against the benefit of mankind.”

He also revealed that, “Tobacco companies don't pay taxes, they actually rake the taxes from smokers. So, when they pay N1billion tax,  it means that they have sold close toN100 billion cigarettes.”

Director, People against Drug Dependence and Ignorance, Mr.Eze Eluchie adds “One of BAT's most recent and successful promotion is named Experience Hollywood: they organize film showings and with your ticket you are given a pack of cigarettes. I tried to attend one  such event with a camera but they refused to let me in with the camera.” 

Health threats

Tobacco use most commonly leads to diseases affecting the heart, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, and cancer, particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancer. Overall life expectancy is also reduced in regular smokers, with estimates ranging from 10_17.9 years fewer than nonsmokers.

Eluchi said 13,700 people die as a result of cigarette having 35% aid of cancer and approximately 5 million people die of cigarette everyday.

Statistics

The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke and may kill up to 8 million people by 2030 if nothing drastic is done, of which more than 80per cent live in low- and middle-income countries.

Among male smokers, the lifetime risk of developing lung cancer is 17.2per cent; among female smokers, the risk is 11.6per cent. This risk is significantly lower in nonsmokers: 1.3per cent in men and 1.4per cent in women. 

Recommendations

The WHO/FCTC on tobacco control is to raise awareness about the addictives and harmful nature of tobacco products and industry interference with Parties' tobacco policies. Establish measures to limit interactions with the tobacco products and transparency of those interactions that occur and require information provided by the tobacco industry be transparent and accurate.

Oluwafemi urged prioritizing the health of the people above the commercial investment interests of the tobacco industry. “We want the presidency to hearken to the call from the global and local communities. He has the window of signing because the constitution is clear. The world is watching. We've not confirmed from the president if he has received the bill and no information yet if he is not going to sign for public health, nothing is too much.”

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