Thursday, February 12, 2009              

Senate to enact tobacco law
From Azimazi Momoh-Jimoh, Abuja

THE Senate yesterday directed its Committee on Health to process a bill to control the manufacture, sale, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco or tobacco products in the country and submit a report within one month.

Sponsored by the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, the bill among others sought to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 years.

The bill also sought to compel tobacco products' manufacturers to display on the packets of the cigarettes messages sufficient to warn smokers against its health hazards.

If the bill is passed, it would be illegal to sell cigarettes in sticks. Also, all forms of adverts, sponsorship, testimonials, and sales promotions would also be banned.

Explaining the rationale behind the bill, Mamora lamented the increasing rate of tobacco related diseases.