by Kolapo Olapoju

With 10 million Nigerians presently at risk of tobacco epidemic, billions of tobacco sticks are still being produced…..in Nigeria at the moment. The Public hearing for the passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) into law held on Wednesday 16 July, 2014 at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The meeting started with an opening remark from the Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Honorable Ali Ahmad who stated that Nigeria is still lagging behind in the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Honorable Ali Ahmad further said, “Legislators are concerned and are willing to use their legislative authority to pass the bill”.

Several tobacco control advocates including Mr. AkinbodeOluwafemi of ERA/FOEN spoke passionately in favour of passing the Tobacco Control Bill. Areas covered were; making public areas smoke free, banning of designated smoking areas in Nigeria, banning of automatic vending machines for tobacco products, complete ban of all forms of advertising or promotion and pictorial/graphic warnings on 75% of cigarette packets. It was also stipulated that taxes should be used to discourage smoking.

Tobacco Control Nigeria is a public health and policy change campaign project that uses social media to advance tobacco control and support the passage of a comprehensive Tobacco Control (TC) law compliant with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

According to AdeboyeAdegoke, Community Manager of TobaccoCtrl, “TobaccoCtrl seeks to sign up cause champions who will join the group in calling on Nigerian Lawmakers to pass a comprehensive National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) through mobile and social mediaengagement support for the on-the-ground advocates”. He said.

To be part of the TobaccoCtrl campaign Text (TC Name Email Location) to 39405 or visit bit.ly/tcchampion. If you like to know more about the TobaccoCtrl campaign, kindly visit

Website: www.tobaccoctrl.ng

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tobaccoctrl

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tobaccoctrl

Google Plus: www.gplusid.com/tobaccoctrl

Kolapo Olapoju