Categories
· Teen Smoking/Youth
· Tobacco Control
· Smokefree Policies
non-USA, by Country
· Nepal
|
Legislation to prohibit smoking in public places and control tobacco consumption
Jump to full article: OhMy News, 2007-01-08
Author: Indra Dhoj Kshetri (Indradhoj)
Intro: Nepal's parliament, the House of Representatives, has recently ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which obliges the government to make certain laws and formulate policies and plans to regulate and control the consumption of tobacco. Among them, Nepal shall make laws that will completely prohibit the advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products. In addition, tobacco products will have to carry a message detailing the harms of consuming the product on at least a 30 percent portion of the package. To control smuggling, tobacco producers will have to print the name of the country where the product will be sold.
The convention was signed by the government on Dec. 3, 2003. However, owing to the absence of parliament, its ratification was delayed. Following ratification by the House of Representatives on Nov. 7, 2006, some obligations to the government were attached. Unlike the delays that usually accompany legislation to comply with conventions or treaties, Nepal has moved fast on anti-tobacco laws, amid immense pressure from anti-tobacco activists. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Population and with the participation of civil society, a draft bill has been prepared. This draft, if legislated, will ultimately affect the production, sale and consumption of tobacco goods. It will also make it difficult for smokers to continue their habit as they have been doing. Civil society is determined to see it passed by the sitting House of Representatives.
Jump to full article » |