In order to control tobacco smoking in Abia State, Abia State Government has assured that it would do all it could to adopt the relevant laws in the state.
Addressing a delegation from Civil Society Legislative advocacy Centre, CISLAC, in his office, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji, lamented the health implication of smoking, stating that if the Abia State House of Assembly passed the bill that is before them, “we will collaborate with the House of Assembly to see to the implementation of the law.”
According to him, “If it has already been passed by the National Assembly, it is obligatory for states to adopt it”, and called for relevant authorities to come up with laws on how and where tobacco could be used.
He further advised government at all levels to do the right thing that would ban selling cigarette in packets or rolls that is open for single sells in sticks.
Earlier, the leader of the CISLAC team and Senior Program Officer, Okeke Anya, said they were in the state to get relevant authorities to prevail on the Abia State House of Assembly to pass the law on tobacco control and domesticate it in the state as had been done by the National Assembly in 2015.
He disclosed that in some states, the bill which is under the concurrent list in the constitution had passed second reading, hence the need for its adoption at the state level.
He highlighted the dangers of tobacco use on the health of the smokers, adding that there is the need for the ministry to take up the matter and push it up as an executive bill to the state House of Assembly “to ensure that the health of citizens is safe.
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