The
Minister of state for Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, has lamented the
absence of a robust Tobacco Bill for the country, which he said, could
have regulated the use of tobacco and thus help in the prevention of non
communicable diseases.
He disclosed yesterday at the commemoration of the World Health Day
in Abuja, that the ministry was working with the National Assembly on
the pending bill, which has undergone second reading.
Pate who noted that Nigeria’s population is predominantly youths and
the aging population, expressed worry that if the youths of today imbibe
the culture of smoking, then the rise of non communicable diseases in
the country is imminent.
He said, “Tobacco Bill is key. It’s one of the important legacies we
can bequeath to Nigerians before the next World Health Day. It will
prevent needless deaths and diseases in future.”
The minister who disclosed that there is an executive version of
the bill which is stronger and which the ministry was strongly working
on to see to its fruition, took a swipe at the labeling and packaging of
cigarettes, presently in the market.
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