TOBACCO AND THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY

SEYE OMIYEFA, EXECTIVE DIRECTOR, YOUTH ACTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL AND HEALTH, NIGERIA (YATCH)

Email: omiyefaseye@yahoo.com.com

Website: www.yatch.gnbo.com.ng

Tel:08052910023

What is tobacco?

The EB defines tobacco as any of the numerous species of NICOTIANA or

The cured leaves of several of the species that are used after processing in various ways of smoking, snuffing, chewing and extracting of nicotine.

Historical Development Of Tobacco Cultivation And Consumption in Africa Tobacco cultivation and consumption got to Africa through various ways. According to Paul

Ozanne in his article entitled ‘The Diffusion of Smoking in West Africa’::

“In tracing the spread of tobacco in West Africa, four main classes of evidence have been used: Christian documents, Muslim documents, oral tradition, and archaeological material… From the Christian documents, we know that tobacco was grown and smoked in Gambia by 1620, in Sierra Leone by 1607, Liberia by 1623 and Congo by 1612”

Tobacco was independently introduced into our West African neighbor Ghana around 1640, invariably, tobacco cultivation and consumption must have been introduced into what is now known as Nigeria about the same period.

Some Tactics of Tobacco Industry in Nigeria Secret parties for Students (01,03,08,09)

Some Tactics of Tobacco Industry in Nigeria …ctd Illegal Promotion of Cigarettes in Rural Area(s)

Some Tactics of Tobacco Industry in Nigeria …ctd Indirect Advertisement (Nollywood,

Hollywood)

Some Tactics of Tobacco Industry in Nigeria …ctd Indirect Advertisement (Musical

Artists) e.g. Terry G etc.

Scholarships to schools and community development projects through the British America Tobacco Foundation (BATF)

Some Tactics of Tobacco Industry in Nigeria …ctd

Some Facts About Tobacco Smoking Tobacco contain over 60 carcinogens known

to cause cancer.

Tobacco Smoking contains over 599 addictives

Cigarette smoking contains over 4000 poisonous chemicals

Some Facts About Tobacco Smoking contd...

Highlights in the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB)Penalty for smoking in prohibited places:

“Any person who smokes tobacco contrary to the

provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence

under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a

fine of not less than N200 and not exceeding

N1,000 or to imprisonment to a term of not less

than one month and not exceeding two years or both

such fine and imprisonment”.

Highlights in the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB)… ctdPenalty for advertising, selling, etc.1, Any person who advertises, sells or offers for sale any tobacco

products otherwise than in compliance with the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence under this act and shall be liable, on conviction to a fine of not less than N5,000

2, Where an offence under this act is committed by a corporate body or firm or other association of individuals -

(a) every director, manager, secretary, or other similar officer of the body corporate;

(b) every partner or officer of the firm;

(c) every person concerned in the management of the affairs of the association; or

Highlights in the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB)… ctd(d) every person who was purporting to act

in any such capacity aforesaid, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be

liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both such fine and imprisonment as if he had himself committed the offence, unless he proves that the act or omission constituting the offence took place without his knowledge, consent or connivance.

Highlights in the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB)… ctd All cigarette packs must carry health

warnings

Restricts tobacco adverts on radio and television ( on radio not before 6pm and not before 9.45 on television)

Specified models that could be used for tobacco adverts- adults,no pregnat women and sports figures

Tobacco control Activities

YATCH started tobacco control campaign in 2003

Collaborative work with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Washington DC, Educare Trust.etc.

Legislative Works Monitoring industry activities Youth anti-smoking campaign

Join a youth tobacco control movement (e.g.) Youth Action On Tobacco Control and health (YATCH), EDUCARE TRUST etc.

Innovate creative ways to counter tobacco industry's activities

Start Anti-Tobacco Club in your schools

How To Join The Tobacco Control Campaign

Take a Stand Now!!!