The WHO FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control) is a truce with an overall aim of protecting present and future
generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic
effect of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. It can also
substantially reduce the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco
smoke. The domestication of the WHO FCTC by most developed countries has
translated to marked reduction in tobacco consumption and less exposure to
secondhand smoke in these countries.
More than 8 million lives have been saved
since the anti-smoking campaign started in 1964 in the U.S. Despite not adding
the figures from other countries, we can say this is a huge number. We should
also note that although the number of smokers recorded nationwide especially in
Bangladesh, Russia, Indonesia and China rose to 1billion, this amount could
have been doubled without the anti-smoking campaign.
With reduction in the number of smokers in
countries with stringent tobacco laws, its effect was the migration of tobacco
companies to developing countries where such laws where neither existent or
were poorly enforced as a likely result of ease in bribing and influencing the
decisions of policy makers.
While many developed countries enjoy
their freedom to breathe in non-tobacco tainted air in public places, it is
distressing to know that the number of people who smoke in developing countries
like Nigeria and other low and middle-income countries has increased over time.
This trend has therefore led to an offset in the progress made in countries
such as the U.S., Canada, Iceland and Mexico where smoking prevalence has
decreased by nearly 50 percent.
As the overall number of smokers
worldwide is still rising, it is imperative that all countries implement
tobacco control measures to curb the terrible toll of tobacco-related illness
and death. We therefore urge all Nigerians to join us in making a strong appeal to the
National Assembly to pass the National Tobacco Control Bill by signing the
petition at this link- http://tobaccoctrl.ng/pass-national-tobacco-control-bill-ntcb-now/
We also implore you to plan to attend
public hearings that will be called by the National Assembly as part of the
process of passing the bill and you can follow us on twitter, add your voice by
visiting our facebook page, like our post, drop your comments and share the
post widely with your family and friends.
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