No Plan To Ban Tobacco Smoking, says Nigerian Reps.

 

The Nigerian House of Representatives which is currently considering a proposed legislation that sought to "regulate" tobacco production, packaging and promotional activities, said on wednesday that it had no plans to ban tobacco smoking in the country. A Joint House Committee on Health and Justice, made the clarification at a public hearing on 11 health-related bills, including the tobacco smoking bill in Abuja.

The major aim of this bill, according to the joint committee lead chairman is  "to provide a legal framework for the control of the production, manufacture, sale, labeling, advertising, promotion, sponsorship, use of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke in order to promote the health of the individual." 

The British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) however stated during the public hearing  for the National Tobacco Control Bill at the National Assembly in Abuja that it is in support of balanced regulation for the tobacco sector.

Nigeria currently has no established framework for tobacco regulation and About 10 million Nigerians are currently at risk of both active and passive smoking. The lawmakers recognizes the rights of smokers, but also owe Nigerians the duty to protect non-smokers and regulate smoking.