British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) has called on senators and other industry stakeholders to work towards better and balanced regulation of the tobacco industry, for the benefit of all.
This can only be achieved if the bill on regulating the tobacco industry that is currently being debated by the National Assembly takes into consideration the views of all stakeholders with the ultimate aim of drafting a bill that is effective and workable, said Freddy Messanvi, director, corporate and regulatory affairs, BAT West Africa.
Speaking at the Tobacco Control Bill Public Hearing organised by the Committee on Health of the Senate at the National Assembly, recently, Messanvi said a balanced tobacco legislation will drive the attainment of the aims and objectives of the bill.
“Drafting a bill that will not make matters worse but will be workable, based on fact and evidence while achieving the aims for which it was set should be the focus as these bills are now being considered,” said Messanvi, adding that “a legitimate tobacco industry that is well regulated has more benefits than one that is left in the hands of smugglers who are faceless and who have little or no stake in the country.”
An overly stringent legislation that hamstrings legitimate producers from operating in the country will only lead to opening up the country to illegal trading of tobacco in the country such as is happening in other countries. Such a scenario, said Messanvi, has dire consequences as the quality of tobacco products will be compromised and there will be a fall in government revenue and increase in the rate of smuggling with public health objectives not achieved.
“We are unabashedly protective of the industry because it is not only about the cigarettes that we see, but also about economic development engendered by legitimate businesses such as BATN and its entire industry chain which includes farmers, retailers, among others,” he said. Very stringent regulations will make production in Nigeria unattractive. Although demand of cigarettes will not abate, this will however be met by the illegal sources and more importation of cigarettes.
“Jobs created will go elsewhere, and the market made more attractive for smugglers,” said Messanvi.
In his statement, the Senate house committee chairman on health, Ifeanyi Kowa said the tobacco bill, which is presently receiving inputs from stakeholders, was not targeted at stifling the tobacco industry in Nigeria.
He said the National Assembly responsibility was to regulate the smoking practice because of its devastating effect.
According to him, the bill for Act to repeal the tobacco control Act 1990 laws of the federation and to enact the National tobacco control bill 2012/14 is to provide for the regulation and control of production, advertising and promotion of tobacco and tobacco products in Nigeria.
He promised that the house committee on health will work rapidly to ensure that the bill is concluded and passed as soon as possible.
Declaring the public hearing open, Senate president David Mark said the role of Nigerian Customs, judicial system and relevant health agencies was critical for effective implementation of tobacco regulation act when enacted in to law.
Mark challenged the stakeholders at the forum not to limit themselves to issues of tobacco distribution, sale, advertisement, manufacturing and sponsorship but also consider issues like age restriction, penalties and effects of second hand smoking both on children and adults and smoking in public places.
Represented by Ahmed Makarfi, Senate committee chairman on finance, Mark explained that ‘’the bill seeks to protect the future generation of Nigerians from devastating health, social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.’’
The Tobacco Control Bill seeks to among other things provide for the regulation of the production, importation, advertising, promoting, sponsorship, distribution, sale and public space smoking areas.
Daniel Obi
