Federal Government has tasked tobacco retailers against the selling of single stick cigarette, flavoured cigarettes and shisha.
The FG stated that such act contravenes National Tobacco Control Act, 2015. Consumer Protection Council, CPC, and Federal Competition and
Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, disclosed this in Port Harcourt when they resumed enforcement on Tobacco retailing shops clubs in Port Harcourt.
Johnson Otti, Acting Zonal Coordinator, FCCPC, warned retailers of cigarette to stop acts that violate the National Tobacco Control Act, adding that the commission would commence clamp down on defaulters in the state in June.
Otti stated that the tobacco product should not be sold to children under 18 years, and that cigarette should only be sold in packs and not single stick to discourage children and less privileged persons from consuming the product.
According to him: “The essence is to sensitize sellers not to sell tobacco with flavour. Tobacco should not also be to minors or children under 18 years because it is against the law and if you sell and you are caught, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You can be jailed or fined.
“Part of the strategy to stop children from smoking is to ensure the seller sells only in packet because it would be very difficult for children to get enough money to buy a packet of cigarette than a stick.
“In the next three months after sensitization, enforcement will begin during which we would clamp down on defaulters.”
In his remark, the Coordinator of Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance, NTCA, Mr Oluseun Esan, lauded the government for commencing the enforcement in Port Harcourt. Esan said: “We are happy that the federal government is waking up to its responsibility on tobacco control. The enforcement is timely and should be sustained.”
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