The Niger State Government has forwarded a bill to the state Ministry of Justice on the proposal to ban smoking in public as well as workplaces, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ibrahim Sule, has said.
Sule gave this indication at a news briefing in Minna on Friday to mark the 2013 World No Tobacco Day..
According to him, the ministry has forwarded the bill to the state Ministry of Justice for advice, from where it will go to the state Assembly after vetting.
He said: “We are trying to get a law in place to stop smoking in the public in the state.
“The draft of the bill is now in the Ministry of Justice.
“It is hoped that when the bill is signed into law, it will spell out stiffer penalties for defaulters.”
Sule said the law would help to protect not only smokers but also second hand smokers from its attendant health consequences on the two groups.
The commissioner said that the ban would also affect tobacco advertising, increase taxation on tobacco, regulation of tobacco sales and making sure all public spaces and workplaces were smoke-free.
Sule expressed regret that cigarette smoking in public places had not abated after it was outlawed in 1990.
He appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill 2009.
Trending
- Anti-corruption group demands access to Abia Forensic Audit Report
- Bello and Enenche: A tale of two lions, by Tunde Odesola
- Witch doctor impregnates wife of pastor who has been barren for 10 years
- AUN students protest over electricity blackout, management shifts exams
- Legit.ng’s EIC, TUKO.co.ke’s ME share newsroom growth insights
- Tinubu to Dutch industry: Partnerships must be transformative, translate to gains
- Though it comes with pains, I take best decisions for Nigerians — Tinubu
- Five arrested for attack on LASTMA officials + Video, photos