The Nigerian Tobacco Control Bill sponsored by Yacoob Bush-Alebiosu, a senator, has undergone its 1st and 2nd readings at the House of Representatives. The Bill has been referred to the committee on health and justice for further review.
A Tobacco Control Bill which was passed by the National Assembly in 2011 was not assented by the president, however, some of the concerns raised on the last Bill were the impact of loss of jobs by the tobacco farmers, unclear provisions which were stated will render the bill unenforceable and hence ineffective to the objectives of the health sector. It is expected that a public hearing will be held on this current Bill where all the relevant stakeholders will submit their various positions.
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Speaker of the House, AminuTambuwal, has referred this current Bill to the committees on health and justice for further legislative inputs after it passed its 2nd reading.
“We want to ensure that its provision does not offend existing law, so it has been sent to the House committees on health and justice and they will report back to the House soon,” he said.
