Activists Push For Quick Passage Of Tobacco Control Bill

The Lagos State government in southwest Nigeria has enacted a law that prohibits tobacco smoking in public places – buses, schools and medical centres – to protect non-smokers from, ‘second-hand smoke’ that could lead to health issues.

But a spokesman for a group called ERA, Philip Jakpor, and Project Manager, Tobacco Control, Olamide Egbeyelo, stressed that they would continue to push for a 100 per cent smoke-free public places.

The Lagos State law stipulates penalties for persons who violate this law.

The National Assembly is considering two bills on tobacco smoking. They focus on smoking in public places and will also seek to make tobacco companies display graphic warnings.

Egbeyelo called on Nigerians to support the tobacco campaign to ensure that the bill was passed soon.

The Lagos State law sets aside places for smokers to smoke but the Bill before the National Assembly, National Tobacco Control Bill, will domesticate the tobacco control treaty signed by Nigeria in 2004 and ratified in 2005.

Mr Philip said that the passage of the bill was taking time, as millions of Nigerians who do not smoke still face health risks.

“The tobacco smoke they inhale is hazardous to their health and the government should do something about it to reduce the risk,” he said.

He stressed the need for public enlightenment to ensure that people would be aware of what the law stipulates.