FCCPC enforces graphic health warning policy on tobacco products in Cross River
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has kicked off the enforcement of graphic health warning policy on tobacco products in Cross River State.
The enforcement is consistent with the National Tobacco Control Act and National Tobacco Control Regulations of 2019.
The law requires tobacco products imported, manufactured, or distributed in Nigeria to have graphic/pictorial health warnings on 50% of the principal display area of the products packaging.
The act also specifies that the picture used must be of the highest quality and must clearly depict the negative effects of tobacco on the health of smokers and those close to them.
The FCCPC had earlier carried out the enforcement exercises in Abuja, Lagos and Kano and Calabar is the fourth location where the enforcement is taking place.
The enforcement exercise took the team to Etim Edem Park, Bogobiri as well as the Spar Shopping Mall all in Calabar.
Speaking during the exercise, Chibuike Nwokorie, the Programme Officer of Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance said the state scores very high in cigarette but very low on other tobacco products.
He said it is important people know what they are taking into their system and the health implications of tobacco consumption.
“This team is getting results especially when it comes to cigarettes and I can say that for Calabar this is the highest level we have seen in the country in terms cigarettes.
“But for stuff and other tobacco products, like shisha, the compliance level is still very low and almost zero”, he said.
He added that the objective of the enforcement exercise is to “enforce the graphic health warnings policy as prescribed by the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and the regulations, 2019.
“Provide sensitization and information on the harmful effects of tobacco use.
“To enforce the policy on all tobacco products (snuff, cigarettes, cigar, etc.), including novel tobacco products”.
He also called on the government to increase the taxation on tobacco products because it is supposed to be a luxury good.
Okaka Samuel, one of the tobacco traders commended the initiative and thanked the enforcement team for their civility.
He said the graphic warning policy and rising cost of tobacco products is impacting sales.
On his part, Abdulsalam a trader in Bogobiri on local snuff said they are now aware of the importance of the graphic warning policy.
Nigeria is a party to the World Health Organisation Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC).
The National Tobacco Control Act was enacted in 2015 to regulate the manufacture, importation, distribution, and use of tobacco in the country and the law was gazetted in December 2019.
The primary purpose of this legislation isbto reduce to the bare minimum the negative effects of tobacco on public health.
