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OLATOYE: The national tobacco control bill 

A number of provisions in the bill will create such challenges for the legal domestic tobacco industry that their continued existence will become untenable and will be forced to shut down operations in Nigeria. For example, Clause 23 (2) (c) says, “Any citizen concerned about tobacco can enforce the provisions of the law.” In enforcing the law, such a person can seize any thing if he or she believes that the law is being broken. This means that anybody can enter a tobacco company and seize anything at anytime. No company can operate under such conditions. They will be forced to shut down their operations

If this happens, it will impact on the livelihood of the approximately 2,500 people who are directly employed by the industry; and the over 300,000 people (such as farmers, suppliers, retailers, etc.) who indirectly earn a living from the industry. This certainly has a negative impact on a key element of the seven-point agenda of the current administration: poverty reduction.

In addition, government will lose over N100bn in revenue from excise duty, import duties, VAT, corporate tax, PAYE, etc.

BAT Nigeria is one of the few manufacturing success stories in Nigeria . . .

The Bill will prohibit philanthropy by tobacco companies. This means, for example, that the BATN Foundation will be proscribed. The Foundation has, since establishment, undertaken various community development activities across Nigeria in the areas of potable water supply, agricultural development,

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