CPC enforces ban on shisha, tobacco, others

Earlier, the agency had conducted the same exercise in Abuja and Port Harcourt accompanied by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Head, Surveillance and Enforcement Department, Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC), Lagos Office, Anyanwu Carmellus, pointed out that the council is mandated by law to enforce all enactments aimed at protecting consumers, like the NTCA, and mindful that tobacco products pose grave health risks to consumers, the agency resolved to enforce all the enforceable provisions of the Act. “However, we also considered it necessary to sensitise tobacco dealers and the public to the provisions of the law before we commence full enforcement,” he added.The National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015 regulates and controls the production, manufacture, sale, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products in the country. The regulations according to him, included the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18 years; ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks, cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only; smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grammes; ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet, or other online devices. ‘The rest were the prohibition of interference of the tobacco industry in public health and related issues; prohibition of smoking in public places; prosecution of the manager of a public place who permits smoking; prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and tobacco products’ compliance with the specified standard for content as set out by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’.]]>