Our Correspondent|14 June 2017
The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day – Tobacco threatens us all – highlights how tobacco threatens the development of nations worldwide, and to this the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments around the world to implement strong tobacco control measures. These include banning marketing and advertising of tobacco, promoting plain packaging of tobacco products, raising excise taxes, and making indoor public places and workplaces smoke-free.
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health has set up some legislative regulations that are to be implemented and enforced to the general public with strict monitoring, and they include:
1. Prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below age 18.
2. Ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks; cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only.
3. Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grammes.
4. Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet, or other online devices.
5. Prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.
6. Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility, educational facility, and healthcare facility. Other prohibited for smoking include playgrounds, amusement parks, plazas, public parks, stadia, public transport, restaurants’ bar, and other public gathering spaces.
7. Prosecution of owner or manager of any of the places listed above who permits, encourages or fails to stop smoking in the above listed places.
8. Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind.
9. Compliance with specified standards for content.
Meanwhile the Cross River State Commissioner for Health Dr Inyang Asibong has called on the public to quit smoking as it is dangerous and unhealthy. She made the call during a brief interview with newsmen at the ministry headquarters in Calabar.
“Almost everybody is a smoker either passively or actively, but the second hand smokers are more liable to the dangers of tobacco. Let us stop smoking. We are trying to reduce poverty and protect our health. It’s not easy but it is very doable and in the long run your health will be better with it. Let’s not give in to peer pressure and let us take care of our health holistically.”
Tobacco is very dangerous and it affects all parts of the body from the hairs on the head to the nails on our toes. It causes cancer of the lungs, breast, oesophagus, larynx, oral, bladder, kidney and ureter, and pharynx. It also causes ovarian cancer, infertility, discoloration of the nails, friability of hairs etc.
Let’s stop smoking today!!!
NegroidHaven… Truth in view of Africa’s liberty!