He spoke at an interactive session organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation, Thursday in Abuja, adding that as custodian of the health of Nigerians, the ministry in concert with relevant government agencies formulated the NTC Regulations as a legal framework for effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015.
In the ministry’s memorandum to the committee, Dr. Ehanire pointed out that it was scientifically proven that tobacco is harmful to human health, and contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which 250 are proven to be harmful and more than 69 known to cause cancer. “Because of these, the Regulation addresses the technical areas of the NTC Act which have until now not been enforceable and requires inter-agency collaboration.
He cited India and China, the major Asian regional powers, as countries that go beyond Nigeria’s recommendation and currently apply 85% combination of text and graphic pictorial health warning messages on their tobacco packages.
The Regulations equally outline responsibilities of public authority in prevention of tobacco industry interference and provides a list of authorised agencies charged with enforcement. He highlighted that tobacco companies are now deliberately targeting children in their marketing tactics, citing a report entitled “Big Tobacco: Tiny Targets Nigeria Report” which exposes widespread sale of tobacco close to 221 primary and secondary schools in five states: Lagos, Nasarawa, Enugu, Kaduna and Oyo.
vanguardngr How does that affect the economy?
vanguardngr Minister of cigarette consumption
vanguardngr Oga govt the situation we una put us na only ciggar dey calm us down.... forget
vanguardngr Very soon the next move is to build cigarette companies in Nigeria all in the name of creating job opportunity..fake government.
vanguardngr Prohibition of cigarette manufacturing might be better economic strategy for Nigeria at this time right?
vanguardngr So...would that be an investment opportunity or what?😎
vanguardngr The cigarettes are made in Nigeria right...the companies should pack and fold up causing another economic recession.
vanguardngr Ehen!
vanguardngr Let’s check it it’s true 😀
vanguardngr How is it biting you sir?
vanguardngr Here we go again, from importing pizza to smoking too much...hmmmmmm. so how does dis affect economic growth now?