Minister reaffirms confidence in National Tobacco Control Committee

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has reaffirmed his confidence in the members of the National Tabacco Control Committee.
Adewole said this was because the members of the committee have conducted themselves diligently within the ambit of their statutory role, which is advising the Minister.
Adewole stated this in response to the advertorial published in The Nation newspaper of October 6, 2016, titled: “SOS: Save National Tobacco Control Committee from Subversive Elements.”
In the said advertorial, a group, Initiative for Public Policy Analysis, while making suggestions on the implementation of National Tobacco Control Act 2015, questioned the activities and integrity of members of the recently inaugurated National Tobacco Control Committee.
The Group also made unsubstantiated claims of attempts by foreign entities to manipulate the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act through insertion of clauses and inducements.
Responding to the allegation, the Minister said the Ministry of Health has constitutional authority to collaborate with partners, both locally and internationally, in advancing public health initiative in Nigeria.
He said that tobacco remains a global health challenge, which also requires collaborative efforts at local and global levels.
Such collaboration, according to Adewole, had been on for HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, polio and other health issues that require local and international expertise to address.
He said: “As it stands, the Ministry is open to suggestions and advice from any member of the public or group that have meaningful contributions towards the activities of the committee by channelling such through laid down procedure.”
Adewole said the Ministry remains firm on delivering the mandate of Tobacco Act in rolling back the tobacco epidemic and eliminating tobacco related illness and death.