Bauchi Assembly set to regulate tobacco smoking

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has expressed readiness to promulgate a law that would control tobacco smoking in the state.

The Speaker, Abubakar Sulaiman, said this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Bauchi.

Mr Sulaiman explained that the law would be a milestone in controlling tobacco use. He said rather than impose an outright ban on the smoking of cigarettes, the law would discourage the use of such products.

Mr Sulaiman said the dangers associated with smoking could not be over-emphasised as those who smoke were not only at risk but those around them.

“The tragedy is that those at risk are not just those who smoke but also those around them, their loved ones, their families, neighbors, and friends.

“It is important that we regulate smoking and other matters related to tobacco manufacturing and sales.

“We will provide laws that will protect our people from the harmful effects of smoking,” he said.

He said the society and the businesses involved in the production and sale of tobacco would understand their concern for the health of the people and assured that the law would ensure effective regulation and control of production, manufacture, sale, labeling, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco products.

The speaker also urged the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) to hasten the submission of the draft on tobacco control to the assembly.

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