BREAKING NEWS, Health
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ISAAC Adewole, minister of Health, has again assured that the current administration’s commitment to fast track regulations for the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act.
Adewole, who met with members of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in Abuja, on Tuesday, November 29, said that the harmful effect of smoking made it incumbent on everyone to do everything possible to stop Nigerians from indulging in the unhealthy practice.
The minister used the occasion to give an insight into some of the measures government was taking to ensure that the objective would be achieved. “I have personal and official reasons for fighting tobacco and will do anything to make our people stop smoking.
“Among measures we are considering, we have to look for a way to tax tobacco. When taxes make the prices of tobacco high, those who still want to smoke will have to work hard to be able to pay for it.
“We must be prepared for this battle because it is a battle for the long haul. Africa is the target of the tobacco companies because they claim they are creating jobs but the harms of tobacco outweigh the jobs they claim to create. It is a battle we must fight together and win,” Adewole said.
He also promised to fast track the regulations for implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act noting that he heard about what transpired in India at the seventh session of the conference of parties of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
— Nov 29, 2016 @ 16:40 GMT
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