British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) has called on Senators and other industry
stakeholders to work towards better and balanced regulation of the tobacco industry, for
the benefit of all stakeholders. This can only be achieved if the bill on regulating the tobacco
industry that is currently being debated by the National Assembly takes into consideration the
views of all stakeholders with the ultimate aim of drafting a bill that is effective and workable
said Freddy Messanvi, Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BAT West Africa.
Speaking at the Tobacco Control Bill Public Hearing organised by the Committee on Health of
the Senate at the National Assembly, Abuja, October 15, 2014, Messanvi said that a balanced
tobacco legislation will drive the attainment of the aims and objectives of the bill. “Drafting
a bill that will not make matters worse but will be workable, based on fact and evidence
whilst achieving the aims for which it was set should be the focus as these bills are now being
considered” said Messanvi, adding that “a legitimate tobacco industry that is well regulated has
more benefits than one that is left in the hands of smugglers who are faceless and who have
little or no stake in the country.”
An overly stringent legislation that hamstrings legitimate producers from operating in the
country will only lead to opening up the country to illegal trading of tobacco in the country
such as is happening in other countries. Such a scenario, said Messanvi, has dire consequences
as the quality of tobacco products will be compromised and there will be a fall in government
revenue and increase in the rate of smuggling with public health objectives not achieved.
“We are unabashedly protective of the industry because it is not only about the cigarettes that
we see, but also about economic development engendered by legitimate businesses such as
BATN and its entire industry chain which includes farmers, retailers, among others,” he said.
Very stringent regulations will make production in Nigeria unattractive. Although demand of
cigarettes will not abate, this will however be met by the illegal sources and more importation
of cigarettes. “Jobs created will go elsewhere, and the market made more attractive for
smugglers,” added Messanvi.
Protesters canvassing for fair and balanced tobacco regulation, prior to the commencement of the Public Hearing on the Tobacco Control Bill, organised by the Senate Committee on Health, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Wednesday.
It is believed that the issue of illegal trade remains one of major concern. If the bill is passed
and creates loopholes which smugglers can take advantage of, then the work done by different
regulatory agencies to bring illicit trade levels down will be completely lost.
Messanvi said that “the concern of the bill to safeguard public health can only be realised if
we have a workable regulation that will not in any form encourage illegal trading of tobacco
product to thrive.”
The Tobacco Control Bill seeks to amongst other things provide for the regulation of the
production, importation, advertising, promoting, sponsorship, distribution, sale and public
space smoking areas.