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By Henry Uche
Worried by the inherent danger associated with tobacco smoking particularly among young people, the Philip Morris International (PMI) is pushing for what it called e- smoking (heated- not- burn tobacco products) which is aimed at achieving a smoke -free future for all.
PMI said it does not advise anyone, especially youths to indulge in smoking, however, those who find it almost impossible to quit the habit should subscribe to science and technologically improved smoke -free products which has about 95 per cent harm reduction, while those who can stop it completely, should do so immediately to avoid tobacco related diseases like lung cancer, respiratory disease, cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths.
At a press conference in Lagos, the vice president, Market Activation & Support – Philip Morris International, Tommaso Di Giovanni, said conversations were in progress with the Federal Government of Nigeria and relevant stakeholders to key into the plan to unsmoke the world with improved non- combustible products made possible by modern science and technology.
According to him, so many countries are already adopting PMI idea including countries in Africa: Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa and Morocco, therefore, Nigeria could not afford to lag behind.
The Federal Government in June 2022 increased tax on cigarettes from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.
This was as e minister of Health (State) Olorunnimbe Mamora, had quoted the 6th edition of Tobacco Atlas, which estimates that more than 26,800 annual deaths occur from tobacco-related diseases in Nigeria.
At the launch of the Tobacco Control Data Initiative Dashboard in Abuja, the minister said the tax increase was made to dissuade Nigerians from tobacco consumption.
