Senate Urges FG To Ban Advertisement, Sales of Tobacco Near Schools.
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The Senate has moved to place a ban on Tobacco advertisements in Nigeria in view of a new research that claims the industry’s marketing practices encourage young people to smoke.
The Upper Chamber also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to promote and advertise the no sale of tobacco to minors.
These resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored on Tuesday in the floor of the senate by Sen Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and five others on the need to immediately ban Tobacco Companies from targeting school children in Nigeria.
Sen Tinubu had in the body of the motion expressed worries that there is a deliberate ploy by Tobacco Companies to position tobacco adverts and sign within 100m of schools to stimulate youths into early interest in the use of tobacco products.
She referenced a survey carried out by Nigeria Tobacco Research Group in five states which identified location of tobacco products point of sales within visible distance of schools, with several being 100 metres or less away from schools
National Assembly correspondent Folashade Abdulsalami reports that the Lawmaker further submitted that states and federal government should work together to ensure the comprehensive Prohibition of Tobacco Promotion and Sponsorship in form of cigarette advertisement.
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Sen. Oluremi Tinubu
Lagos Central, APC.
Lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion stated that the government need to make it top priority to stop the Tobacco industry’s shameless manipulation of young people and women, to recruit the next generation of nicotine addicts.
The Senators noted that Tobacco consumption has been associated with lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, saying that Tobacco use is a cause of preventable death in the world which is projected that at least 8 million death annually will be recorded as a result of Tobacco use in 2030.
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Sen. Magnus Abe
Rivers South East, APC
Sen. James Manager
Delta South, PDP
Sen. Barau Jibrin
Kano North, APC
Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai
Oyo North, APc
Sen. Ajayi Boroffice
Ondo North, APC
However the Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session advised the government to implement National Tobacco Control Act and do the needful to enforce the law.
He also urged the Ministry of Health to ensure the tobacco companies adequately comply with the law.
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DSP, Ike Ekweremadu.
The Senate however charged the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant enforcement agencies to urgently ensure a framework for the monitoring of the implementation of the ban on single sticks and cigarette packs with less than 20 sticks as details National Tobacco Control Act.
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