February 6th, 2008 14:53

Tobacco producers can be chased out in Nigeria

The Nigerian government has declared it has an intention to ban smoking in public places in Nigeria's capital territory and initiate numerous law suits against tobacco companies British American Tobacco and Philip Morris.

The Government has also said it plans to develop new health regulations which would control tobacco production and prevent tobacco and cigarette companies from entering the market.

The health minister and the head of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), are going to introduce stricter regulations and eventually cease the sale of all tobacco products on the territory of the country.

In hope of reducing the production and sales of cigarettes a broad anti-smoking campaign has emerged.

The campaign is well-timed as smoking in Nigeria increases. Twenty years ago, just three percent of Nigerians smoked. By 2002, 25 percent of the general population and 18 - 22 percent of the young smoked, and the rate is increasing each year.

The reason for smoking is not only in its cost – approximately 2 cents per unit but also the marketing in the developing world.

British American Tobacco manufactures 93 million cigarettes each year, all of which are sold in Nigeria.

Though the laws and rules regulating tobacco in Nigeria do exist, the realization has been patchy at best.

In 2005 the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was ratified by the government, which targets labeling, distribution and sale of tobacco products. However, some tobacco companies have ignored the regulations, including the decision that health warnings must cover at least a third of the space on the tobacco products packaging.

The federal case was set to March 17 for one of the defendants, Philip Morris, which could be served in Switzerland.