The Senate has passed the bill on an Act to provide for the regulation, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco or tobacco products in Nigeria.

The objective of the bill, according to the Senate, includes ensuring that Nigeria has comprehensive tobacco legislation for ‎effective regulation and control of production, manufacturing, sale, labelling as well as advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco products in Nigeria.

The bill also repeals the current law, which experts say is inadequate, and enacts the new Act to protect the present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.

In addition, the Bill would ensure balance between the economic consideration and the health implications of tobacco manufacture and tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and establish appropriate government organs to coordinate the execution of the proposed legislation, prescribing punishments for those who flout the provisions of the legislation.

Commenting on the bill, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, commended the passage of the bill, saying it is a milestone for the Senate.

•Sourced from a Channels TV report. Photo shows Senate session