By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja – The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has reiterated its commitment to enforce the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 for the protection of consumers.
The Director-General of CPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera made this known the Chairman, Board of Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, a Civil Society Organisation, Mrs Oluwafumi Akinbode visited him on Wednesday in Abuja.
Irukera said that the council had already started studying the act and would develop an appropriate enforcement strategy for its enforcement based on the Consumer Protection Act.
“The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole had conveyed the intention of the Federal Government to begin an enforcement regime with respect to Tobacco Control Act 2015 to the CPC.
“The minister specifically identified the council as a stakeholder in that enforcement regime and we are studying and developing what we believe is an appropriate enforcement strategy based on the CPC Act.
“We have a responsibility to enforce every enactment for the protection of Nigeria in Nigeria and so the Tobacco Control Act falls within our mandate.
“What we are giving to you today is that we will enforce the law to the very last regardless of what,’’ he said.
Irukera reiterated the role of CPC in enforcing standards and ensuring compliance in all provisions of the law within the country, stating that the council would not relent in this.
He assured the civil society group of the council’s commitment to partner with it in the protection of consumers against tobacco consumption.
“As long as our objective remains the same, you can be sure we CPC will fulfill our obligations.
“We are in the process of convening this commitment to the minister and to inform the Federal Government of what we believe is our capacity to enforce based on the provisions of the law.
“As far as we are concerned, the law is supreme and one of the things we try to convey to industries is that consumer is key,’’ he said.
Earlier, Akinbode implored the CPC to use its national structure to drive the enforcement of the nine provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act.
“CSOs are ready to partner with CPC in building the capacity of their staff to play roles in enforcing the nine provisions announced by the minister of health.
“The CPC should champion the cause of a smoke-free Nigeria and lend its voice to calls for fast tracked adoption of the tobacco control regulation by the parliament.
“The council should also stand for increase of tobacco taxes to discourage youth initiation and to boost government revenue,’’ she said. (NAN)