CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FROWN AT DELAY IN PASSING TOBACCO CONTROL BILL

By Amadin Uyi

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations has criticized the Executive and Legislative arms of Government for delaying the passage and signing into law of the Tobacco Control Bill into law.

The organizations which comprise the Environmental Rights Action, Friends of The Earth, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and The Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance say the delay in passing the bill by government is disappointing and it continues to endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians.

Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi from the Environmental Rights Action said that Nigerians must demand government to be more responsive and responsible to the yearnings of millions of Nigerians. Mr Oluwafemi called on the Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional obligations to the country which is to protect the public.

The National Coordinator of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance Dr Olanrewaju Oginni, said cigarettes are designed to addict their smokers because of available Nicotine in each cigarette stick and thus should be banned by government. He said smokers are hooked and cannot quit the act so there should be laws penalizing tobacco making companies and they should be held responsible for the death of any Nigerian who dies from smoking related diseases.

Another member of the Coalition from The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Mrs Hilda Ochefu also adds that available research has revealed that most smokers start smoking from their teens. Mrs Ochefu says that the research findings also reveal that advertisements by Tobacco companies target teenagers and youths and many of them continue smoking till very advanced ages. She also said that many of these youths should be regarded as victims who later develop smoking related diseases and are more prone to lung and throat cancers thus the Federal Government should not ignore the call to speedily pass the Tobacco Control Bill, in the interest of the country’s future.

The Alliance called on President Goodluck Jonathan to make the signing of the Bill, an Easter gift to Nigerians.