Doctors Ask For Total Ban Of Tobacco Advert In Nigeria

Medical Doctors in Nigeria have drawn the awareness on the hazards attached to the smoking of tobacco to the government.

Scared by the negative side of smoking on the health of Nigerians, medical practitioners, under the division of Epidemiological Society of Nigeria (EPISON) have asked for an total ban on tobacco advertisement and sports sponsorship.

In a report given after its 6th annual scientific conference and general meeting held lately in Abuja, EPISON noted that high level of tobacco smoking, alcohol in-take, poor diet and inactive lifestyle, mostly among the young ones, is getting worse the terrain for non-communicable infections.

The conference also asked for adequate funding and empowerment of the National Biosafety Management Agency to effectively it control all actions in relation to the GMO technology in Nigeria, to avert unexpected adverse outcomes.

The communiqué, which was agreed to by both the chairman and society secretary, Prof. A.I Zoakah and Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, advises government to adequately finance research to control the health challenges in the epidemiological change.

The society also asks the federal government to, as a matter of priority, raise budgetary allotment to the health sector to level up with the 15% Abuja Declaration of 2001 and make sure prompt and full release of budgeted funds.

“We advise all tiers of government to empower the inspection system via provision of infrastructure and ceaseless training of the worker who are in the surveillance system.