Home HEALTH FG set to stop the use of tobacco in Nigeria

FG set to stop the use of tobacco in Nigeria

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The Federal Government says it has wrapped up plans to stop the use of tobacco in Nigeria, due to it’s increasing negative health effects.

This was made known by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire,  while addressing the 8th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP8), to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr Osagie explained that the federal government had started awareness campaigns on the provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015, to create the enabling environment for enforcing the change.

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In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister said..

“Government had reviewed the standard for cigarettes to include the complete ban on cigarettes with characterising flavour, including menthol.

“Government of Nigeria had ratified the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products, adding that the instrument of accession would be finalised and deposited at the United Nations Headquarters” he added.

The Minister also noted that deforestation is one the problems caused by the practices of tobacco farming.

He further added that much use of pest control chemicals in tobacco farming causes land and water pollution.

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Congratulating the Head of the Convention Secretariat, Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, for leading a high-level discussion, the Minister said…

“The convention is a milestone in the promotion of public health,”

“It is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of people to the highest standard of health, provides legal dimensions for international health cooperation and sets high standards for compliance,”  he added.

Dr Osagie also expressed support for further collaboration and partnership with member states.

According to reports, the decision of the federal government to ban tobacco use, was part of the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act of 2015.

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The Act is the national law housing the World Health Organisations Framework on Tobaco Control (FCTC).

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