Vincent ikuomola, Abuja


The FCT Administration has again said it would not compromise in the battle against tobacco smoking in public places in the Federal Capital Territory .
The administration also assured that it would not relent until the battle is won.

To further push its resolve, FCT administration has called on the relevant authorities to impose stringent tax regime on tobacco products. This the administration argued will make smoking an expensive venture.

Also the administration promised that moral persuasions would be continued while at the same time pressurise tobacco farmers to seek alternative crops to cultivate.

The FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar who spoke at the opening of the Africa Regional Strategy Workshop on Tobacco Control organized by a Non-Governmental Organization, Framework Convention Alliance, in Abuja, said that the battle against tobacco smoking in public places is just beginning.

He also said one of the moves his administration is pushing for is to prevail on tax agency to impose stringent tax regime on tobacco product to make smoking an expensive venture.

In the thinking of the minister, when tobacco is made very expensive, smokers would be discouraged and be forced to drop the bad habit that tend to affect their health, which by extension reduce productivity with its attendant negative effects on the national economy.

"The FCT Administration is already championing the modification of the law prohibiting smoking in public places in the country through the National Assembly, in order to make it dynamic, vibrant and up to date," he said.

He also reiterated that the FCT Administration is determined to make Abuja a livable city; noting that there must be a shift and change from tobacco smoking considering its health and social implications to human existence.

He said:"We are committed to bequeath better legacy for the future generation of Nigerians and Abuja must remain a pace setter, being the first city in the West African sub-region to declare smoking in public places illegal."

The Minister assured that moral persuasions would continue and urged tobacco farmers to seek for alternative crops to cultivate.

In his earlier remark, the representatives of the Minister of Health, Dr. Mich Anibueze revealed that the collaboration between his Ministry and Federal Ministry of Commerce has paid-off; because they have been able to stop work on the N80 billion new tobacco factory in Oyo State .

He promised to work closely with all stakeholders to achieve the desired results in the interest of the humanity.

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