COP11: CSOs Warn Nigerian Delegation Against Tobacco Industry Influence

-


Civil society organisations working in tobacco control have cautioned Nigeria’s delegation to the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) against succumbing to influence from the tobacco industry as global negotiations begin in Geneva tomorrow.


In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the groups expressed concern over what they described as renewed efforts by the tobacco industry to infiltrate COP11 deliberations through proxies, with the aim of legitimising e-cigarettes, nicotine-based products and other novel tobacco items under the guise of harm reduction.


The organisations, including the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Gatefield, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), and the Centre for Youth Inclusion and Development, warned that Nigeria must not sell out public health to corporate interests.


They also urged the delegation to reject all forms of industry-linked funding and partnerships, insisting that Nigerians would hold them accountable for any position that undermines national tobacco control efforts.


Citing Sections 25–28, 33–34 and 38(2) of the National Tobacco Control Act, the groups reminded government representatives that the law bars public officers from maintaining financial or non-financial relationships with the tobacco industry. 


They added that Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC obliges Parties, including Nigeria, to safeguard public health policies from industry interference.


“We are aware that the tobacco industry and its front groups are working overtime to manipulate discussions at COP11. Nigeria must not be complicit in this devious strategy”, the groups said. 


They warned that new nicotine products being promoted internationally are the new faces of the same deadly business, arguing that such products could reverse gains made under Nigeria’s tobacco control regulations.


The statement noted that tobacco use kills more than seven million people globally each year, adding that multinational corporations are now targeting young people across Africa with novel devices and aggressive marketing.


The groups called on Nigeria to demonstrate leadership at the talks and back global efforts to curb nicotine addiction, prevent industry interference and strengthen regulations.


COP11 will run from November 17–22, bringing together the 183 Parties to the WHO FCTC to take decisions on measures to protect public health and the environment. 


The Meeting of the Parties (MOP), scheduled for November 24–26, will focus on strengthening the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

University of Lagos Alumni Association Elects New NEC Members

-
Image
The University of Lagos Alumni Association has elected new National Executive Council (NEC) members to steer its affairs for the next two years.  The new NEC members were elected at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, UNILAG, on Sunday, December 15, 2024. The meeting was attended by alumni members, both physically and virtually. The unveiling of the new NEC was sequel to the submission of the reports of the search and electoral committees, respectively.  The search committee which had Dr. John Momoh, as Chairman, produced officers for the National President (worldwide), the Vice President and National Secretary.  The Electoral Committee, which was chaired by Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, supervised the elections of officers for other positions. While the tenure of the National President, Vice President 1, National Publicity Secretary and National Social Secretary was renewed, other members of the NEC assumed new roles. The following...
Read more

Nigerian Children At Risk Of Losing Their Identity - First Lady

-
Image
.    L-R Former Minister, Chief Mrs Nike Akande, wife of former president, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Former First Lady, Mrs Victoria Gowon, the First Lady of the Federal republic of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima and wife of the Senate President Mrs Ekaette Akpabio cutting the cake at an event tagged Celebrating the Mothers of our nation in commemoration of the First Anniversary of the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held in Abuja on Saturday 25th May Says Girls Going Naked, Not Part Of Nigerian Culture  Female President is possible if women unite - Victoria Gowon Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has warned that Nigerian children are at risk of losing their identity, if necessary, steps are not taken to make amends. She gave the warning at an event tagged “Celebrating the organized as part of activities to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office. The even...
Read more

MRA Calls on Governments to Make Human Rights a Lived Reality for All Nigerians

-
Image
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Tuesday called on Federal and State Governments to make human rights a lived reality for all Nigerians in accordance with their constitutional obligation to recognize and maintain human dignity.  It said that by so doing, they could begin to rebuild public trust in government, foster national unity, and unlock the true potential of the Nigerian people. In a statement issued in Lagos to commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day, MRA lamented that the promise of human rights contained in the Constitution as well as in regional and international instruments that Nigeria is party to, has remained unfulfilled for far too many citizens as the country has spiraled into a jungle where only the fittest survive and human life has little value. MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms Esther Adeniyi, said in the statement: “The Federal Government has duties and obligations under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. It cannot claim to ...
Read more