‘Coys interfering with tobacco control act implementation’

The National Tobacco Control Alliance has accused tobacco companies of interfering with implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act signed into law May this year, calling for its prompt gazette.

The alliance in particular faulted the tobacco company British America of frequently placing cigarette trash bins in restaurants, bar and hotels, calling it “unlawful.”

Adejuwon Gbenga, who manages the alliance, during media briefing in Abuja criticised clamour for tax waiver and amnesty by tobacco manufacturers, insisting it would increase Nigeria’s epidemic of tobacco-related disease and deaths.

“It will allow more Nigerians to have access to cheap cigarette and drives our public health to a state of anarchy,” said Gbenga.

The alliance faulted Nigeria’s tobacco control act, signed nearly 10 years after ratifying the international tobacco-control treaty, was “not stringent enough” because it provides for designated smoking areas.

“It does not address the control of smokeless tobacco and has no sufficient measure on tobacco industries cooperate social responsibility,” said Gbenga.

Designated smoking areas are required under the law to have good ventilation, modern ventilation equipment and cannot compromise people in non-smoking areas.