The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has announced the enforcement of ban on sale of cigarettes to persons under 18 years in Nigeria.
This is coming as the World Health Organisation (WHO) disclosed that over 4.5 million Nigerian adults are addicted to smoking tobacco substances.
Adewole made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja as part of activities to mark the World No Tobacco Day.
He also called for the immediate implementation and enforcement of key sections of the 2015 National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act.
He said:
Having carefully analysed the NTC Act 2015, I wish to announce with high sense of responsibility that government will begin implementing the following provisions:
- Prohibition of sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18;
- Ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks. Cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only; and smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grams
- Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet or other online device;
- prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues;
- and Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility; educational facility; and health care facility.
- Other prohibited places for smoking include playgrounds, amusement parks, plazas, public parks, stadium, public transports, restaurants, bars, or other gathering spaces.
The minister also directed the:
- “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;
- prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind;
- and compliance with specified standard for content as set out by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Adewole noted that available evidence from World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that tobacco use costs national economies immensely, through increased health-care cost and decrease productivity, adding that it worsens health inequalities and increase poverty as the poorest people spend less on essentials such as food, education and health care.
He said the country is currently exploring using tobacco tax and levies as means of financing the Universal Health Coverage agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.