The National Tobacco Control Act was signed into law in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The theme for this year’s event, ‘Tobacco:
A
Threat to Development,’ aims at highlighting
the link between tobacco use and
development as well as show that tobacco
control can break the cycle of poverty,
contribute to ending hunger, promote
sustainable agriculture and economic growth,
and combat climate change.
Ahead of this year’s celebration, the World
Health Organization revealed that tobacco
kills over seven million people annually, and
is an increasing risk factor in non-
communicable (NCDs), including
cardiovascular disease, cancers and chronic
obstructed pulmonary disease.
Earlier Mr. Adewole, a Professor of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, had told
PREMIUM TIMES that the implementation of
the tobacco control Act had been slow
because the draft Regulations need the
National Assembly approval.
Below are the regulations listed by the
minister to be implemented:
1. Prohibition of the sale of tobacco
products to and by anyone below age 18.
2. Ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks;
cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks
only.
3. Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a
minimum of a pack of 30 grammes.
4. Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution
of tobacco or tobacco products through
mail, internet, or other online devices.
5. Prohibition of interference of tobacco
industry in public health and related issues.
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. 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.
8. Prohibition of tobacco advertising,
promotion and sponsorship of any kind.
9. Compliance with specified standards for
content.
