The Minister of State for health, Dr. Mohammed Pate has canvassed for the passage of Tobacco Bill as part of efforts to stem the increasing cases of high blood pressure in the country.

Dr Pate who addressed a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday as part of activities to commemorate the World Health Day said it is worrisome that one out of every four Nigerian is hypertensive while 70 per cent of persons with high blood pressure are not aware of their health condition.

The Minister stressed the need for change of lifestyle which includes the eating of healthy foods, reduction of salt intake, abstinence from tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol saying these measures are capable of preventing high blood pressure which has become one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria.

The tobacco control bill recently passed its second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill is expected to provide a legal framework for the control of tobacco and prohibit smoking in public places.

The bill will also ensure that the under-aged will not be able to buy tobacco at will.

It is also expected to protect the health of people who do not smoke tobacco, as the law require that areas of restrictions for smoking tobacco must be indicated across the country.

The bill also seeks to regulate the production, importation, advertisment and promotion of tobacco in Nigeria.

It also seeks to regulate sponsorship, promotion, distribution, sale and designation of areas where tobacco products may and may not be smoked.