By Timothy Oyomare
Palpable fears over drop in patronage and loss of jobs have enveloped tobacco manufacturing companies in Nigeria since the National Assembly began the process of amending the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act 2015 to ensure stronger regulatory measures highlighting the dangers in cigarette smoking.
The tobacco companies believe they will be potentially out of business if the draft National Tobacco Control Regulations before the National Assembly is passed. The House of Representatives has approved the draft, and it is currently awaiting the concurrence of the Senate.
While the House of Representatives believes the new regulations are aimed at saving lives, the manufacturers fear it may lead to decline in patronage, and eventual loss of jobs for Nigerians.
Some of the employees of these companies mediaissuesng.com spoke to confirm the development. Specifically, a staff of West African Tobacco Company Limited who spoke under anonymity, said: “Yes, we fear for our jobs due to likely decline in sales, if the control regulations bill is passed by the Legislature.”
However, when mediaissuesng.com contacted British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited for comment, a lady who picked up the call refused to speak on the matter, saying, “we shall contact you when we consider it necessary.”
If the draft before the National Assembly sails through, then all forms of tobacco products shall carry health warnings, stronger and better defined prohibited packaging as well as Principal Display Areas for all forms of tobacco products.
Besides, the draft provides that all tobacco products must carry Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) signs on all tobacco products, which shall increase to 80 per cent after four years. There will also be a comprehensive annual reporting system from Tobacco Industry to Federal Ministry of Health, increase smoke-free areas, mandatory and uniform notices.
There are about nine major tobacco companies currently operating in the country, among which are: British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited, International Tobacco Company Limited, West African Tobacco Company Limited, Great Brands Nigeria Limited, Best Tobacco Company Limited and Interfoods Distribution Company Limited.
Others are Interfoods Distribution Company Limited, Intermarket Distribution Company Limited, Intertrade Worldwide Distribution Limited and IDF Trading Company Limited.