IMO ASSEMBLY PLEDGES TO DOMESTICATE NATIONAL TOBACCO CONTROL ACT

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Imo State House of Assembly is to domesticate the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015 to help reduce the burden of tobacco products consumption on human health.

The Chairman House Committee on Health, Mr. Micheal Njoku, gave the indication at a workshop organized by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in Owerri.

The lawmaker, who represents Ihitte-Uboma State Constituency in the House, noted that nicotine, which is found in tobacco, was inimical to health and efforts must be intensified towards controlling its use.

Mr. Njoku said the House would not only give accelerated passage to the bill when presented but would push for its accent by the executive.

The Programme Manager, democratic governance in CISLAC Mr. Okeke Anya, said the forum was organized to sensitize stakeholders in the control of tobacco to the harmful effects of the product on both humans and the environment.

He advocated increased taxation on tobacco products, such as cigarettes and shisha as well as adoption of the national tobacco control act by states to support the campaign.

Some of the participants called for an aggressive campaign on dangers of smoking, especially in public places, to reduce the chances of inhaling smoke by non users.