Some Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs have advised the Federal Government to strengthen the enforcement of the smoke-free public places policy and the ban on Tobacco Advertising Promotion and Sponsorships, TAPS.
They made the call in Abuja at a news conference in commemorating the 2022 World No Tobacco Day with the theme “Protect the Environment”.
The organisations are, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA; Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, NTCA; Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Centre for the Study of the Economics of Africa, CSEA
Executive Director of CAPPA Akinbode Oluwafemi stressed that the theme of the Day highlighted that, throughout its lifecycle, tobacco polluted the planet and damaged the health of all people. He however called on the Federal Government to look inwards and revisit the status of tobacco control in the country.
Project Officer of NTCA Nwokorie Chibuike urged government to provide support to tobacco farmers to switch to an alternative. According to him, from cultivation which involves the use of pesticides that are harmful to tobacco growers, to the cutting and burning of trees for tobacco curing which leads to deforestation.
Sub-Regional Coordinator for West Africa, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Hilda Ochefu called for citizens’ advocacy and enforcement of the smoke-free public places policy.
