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Group Seeks Priority Attention On Tobacco Control Bill(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has urged the National Assembly to give necessary attention and action on the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) and ensure its passage before April. In a statement issued in Lagos, NTCA Interim National Coordinator, Lanre Oginini said the tobacco control bill should begin before electioneering campaign at National level takes off in full swing. "We are worried about the slow pace of work on this Bill, which was originally passed by the 6th National Assembly. We had expected a fast track passage , but here we are again. "This is a public health bill that will safe the lives of several million lives from tobacco addiction and associated ill health and death, it is a matter of national priority. "It is the responsibility of parliament to ensure that it makes law to promote healthy lifestyle for the citizens. Such laws must be made timely and with the necessary implementation mechanisms," Oginnni said. The group recalled that, the NTCB was passed in 2011 but did not receive Presidential assent, warning "every time we delay, we put the lives of Nigerian children, women and even adults at risk of preventable death." Nigeria signed and ratified the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in 2004 and 2005. As a Party to the FCTC, Nigeria is obligated to domesticate the Treaty . The FCTC includes a range of provisions to reduce demand and supply of tobacco products including comprehensive ban of tobacco advertisement sponsorship and promotion, warning messages to include pictures and pictograms on tobacco packs, comprehensive ban of smoking in public places, increased taxes among others. "We expect our national legislators to follow the example of Lagos state and fast track this bill. Nigerians have waited for too long for this bill " Instead of the disturbing slow pace of work, we need more attention on this bill we need both Houses to pass the bill quickly and present it for Presidential assent," Oginni added. Tyonex Wins Quality Award Tyonex Group, one of Nigeria's fastest growing health care companies, has continued to attract honours and recognitions, this time on the strength of one of its products: Pregnaid. The Institute for Government Research and Technology Leadership (IGRTL) has named Pregnaid as the Best Anaemia and Iron Management Deficiency Product of the Year 2013. Announcing the award in Abuja, the Institute's Secretary, Technical/Event Organising Committee, Mr. Mahmud Ibrahim said Tyonex Pregnaid clearly "outperformed others" in every department to clinch the honour. Pregnaid, which is Tyonex's leading primary health care product, was praised for "product high quality, trackrecord , value creation and efficacy, product acceptability, affordability, availability and chain management." The Institute also cited Pregnaid for "passing quality tests" and for being "hygienically processed and safe." It noted that the iron management product is also "fortified with finest ingredients including vitamins, iron, etc" while "conforming to global quality and beats other brands." Compliance with professional codes, government regulatory laws and ethical standards also enabled Pregnaid to emerge tops in a crowded and competitive field of similar pharmaceutical products. Tyonex Group's Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Emmanuel Tyohemba Agba said: "I am extremely delighted by this award. It is yet another recognition of our demonstrable commitment to high quality products produced in hygienic and safe environment that meets global standards. Going forward, our goal is to strive to exceed the standards that have brought us such honours." Tyonex is primarily a health care product marketing and manufacturing group. Other companies in the group are Divine Essential Formulations, Trinity Systems Nigeria Ltd and Tacuma Nigeria Ltd. Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |