Osun Assembly to ban smoking
By Gbenga Faturoti, Correspondent, Osogbo

Osun State House of Assembly has pledged its determination and readiness to facilitate the passage of law banning smoking in public places in the state.





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Speaker of the Assembly, Adejare Bello, disclosed this while addressing officials of Nigeria Tobacco Situation Analysis, a group championing the cause of the passage of the bill.

The group is proposing a bill, tagged, "Osun State Prohibition of Smoking in Public Place Bill," to be submitted to the assembly for passage to prevent the danger inherent in smoking tobacco in public places.

Bello said with scary statistics on the adverse effects of tobacco on active and passive smokers, Osun parliament would be in the forefront of assemblies in Nigeria that will legislate against public smoking.

The speaker, who, commended the lobbying approach of the group on legislature and ensuring that the Assembly becomes an ally in the war against public smoking, noted that the lawmakers would also assist in the sensitisation against the habit.

He added that the Assembly would ensure that all its 26 members spread the campaign against the danger inherent in smoking of cigarette in public places in all the constituencies.

According to him, "I want to assure you that as accredited representatives of the people, we shall facilitate the spread of the sensitisation against public smoking in our various constituencies."

Coordinator of Nigeria Tobacco Situation Analysis, Dr Kola Akinroye, quoting a WHO report, noted that out of about 1.3 billion people who smoke worldwide, half of them will die from tobacco-related cause before their 50th birthday.

He explained that it was the main reason Nigeria Tobacco Situation Analysis (NTSA) and Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF) embarked on the sensitisation/awareness campaign on the danger inherent in tobacco smoking.

Akinroye urged members of the Osun State House of Assembly to give the bill a speedy and serious attention when it is presented, noting that the call became necessary in the interest of the people especially the children who are future leaders.

He pointed out that if the assembly passes the bill, it would be the beginning of great thing to happen in the state.

Akinroye, who is also chairman, Osun State Management Board, while expressing hope that the bill would be given speedy consideration, assured that law enforcement agents would be carried along in the implementation and enforcement of the law.

Programme Manager of Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, said that over 6.5 million Nigerians are on the death row due to tobacco related diseases.

He explained that survey carried out revealed that adult smoking rate is 17 per cent, while 13 million Nigerians are active smokers of tobacco in the country.

He said the law if passed in the state would save lives that are on the verge of being killed by tobacco.

Also, Dr. B O Awoyemi, from the state Hospital Management Board, said smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death, declaring that tobacco contains over 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which are carcinogens (cancer causing agents).

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Passing a bill and making it law is one enforcing is another.