Sir: The news that the Federal Government of Nigeria will be increasing the excise tax on tobacco products from 30 percent ad-valorem to 50 percent is a welcome development and a step in the right direction. It will boost the nation’s non-oil sector earnings and move the government closer towards realising its goal of weaning the economy from its over-reliance on oil revenues.
However, I disagree with the assertion by Dr Mangai Malau, Head of the Tobacco Control Unit, Noncommunicable Diseases Division, in the Federal Ministry of Health, that the tax increase is part of the federal government’s effort to control smoking in the country.
Tobacco causes more than eight million deaths annually around the world, with more than seven million of those deaths as a result of direct tobacco use. In Nigeria, over 20,000 deaths annually are as a result of tobacco use. It is the greatest risk factor for non-communicable diseases like hypertension, stroke, cancers, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability and impoverishment in the world. About 1.2 million deaths globally are as a result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Also, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke and even a brief exposure can be harmful to one’s health.
We need to embrace smoke-free policies if we are serious about controlling the sale and use of tobacco products. Smoke-free policies which have been legislated in many European countries have proven their effectiveness, and have reduced illness and death caused by tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. They have protected millions from the harmful effects of secondhand smoking.
Smoking bans are a necessity. It is an idea whose time has come. No matter how much tax the federal government imposes on tobacco products, the manufacturers will simply shift the cost to the consumers, who will pay no matter how expensive it is.
Tobacco use is an addiction, and like all other addictions, addicts will always find a way to satisfy their cravings, even if they have to sell everything that they have.
Smoking bans will limit the amount of tobacco that an individual can smoke. These smoking bans should include all public spaces, public and private workplaces, government buildings, airports, restaurants, buses, taxis, and even private cars if there are other occupants. There should be strict enforcement of the smoking bans by the regulatory authorities to ensure compliance, and offenders should be punished with steep fines.
•Peter Ovie Akus,
akuspeter@gmail.com