Minister Seeks Enforcement Of Law Against Tobacco
Bankole Abe
The minister of health, Isaac Adewole has sought the total enforcement of the 2015 National Tobacco Control Act.
The Minister has written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigeria Police Force over the enforcement of the 2015 National Tobacco Control Act.
The Minister said:
‘It has become imperative to strengthen our collaborative efforts and to urgently start implementing and enforcing the provisions of the NTC Act 2015 in order to protect and promote the health of the citizens’.
The Law which was signed into Law as National Tobacco Control Act by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 states that;
1.Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grammes.
2. Prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.
3., Prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below age 18.
4. Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through the mail, the internet, or other online devices.
5. Ban of the sale of cigarettes in single sticks; cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only.
6. Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility, educational facility, and healthcare facility. Other prohibited for smoking include playgrounds, amusement parks, plazas, public parks, stadia, public transport, restaurants’ bar, and other public gathering spaces.
7. Compliance with specified standards for content as set out by Standards Organization of Nigeria.
8. Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of any kind.
9. Prosecution of owner or manager of any of the places listed above who permits encourages or fails to stop smoking in the above-listed places.
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