Dossier
Nigeria’s government says tobacco manufacturers are putting unacceptable pressure on the country’s health services, and companies are targeting younger and younger people in an attempt to replace former smokers in Europe and America.
British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris and International Tobacco Ltd, deny the claims and say they are socially responsible companies who do not target children. They question the massive sums demanded by the government and say the case "has no merit".
But government lawyers are convinced they have a strong case. E-mails between tobacco firm employees to be shown to the court in the capital Abuja will reveal deliberate attempts to increase the number of "young and underage" smokers and attempts to influence lawmakers to keep tobacco sales unregulated, they say.
Four Nigerian state governments also plan to go to court early in 2008 to argue similar cases.
Cigarette smoking in Nigeria
Cigarette smoking is widespread in Nigeria and BAT recently set up a factory in the West African country. Campaigners in Nigeria say children are sent positive messages about smoking all the time. And young people across Nigeria can buy cigarettes from vendors in single "sticks", which campaigners say makes it easier for young people to pick up the habit. The World Health Organization estimates that 18% of young Nigerians smoke - storing up huge potential health problems in a country of 140 million people, most of whom are under 20.
Whatever happens with the court case, the government is already trying to curb the spread of smoking. Cigarette adverts have been restricted - only allowed on radio and TV after 2200 and billboards have been scrapped. The authorities in the capital, Abuja, are also considering a smoking ban in public places.
Background
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first global health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization.
The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic. The spread of the tobacco epidemic is exacerbated by a variety of complex factors with cross-border effects, including trade liberalization, direct foreign investment, global marketing, transnational tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and the international movement of contraband and counterfeit cigarettes.
The WHO Framework Convention Tobacco Convention entered into force on 27 February 2005. Nigeria ratified it on 20 October 2005. There are currently 168 signatories to the WHO FCTC and 152 Parties. The latest party is Guinea (7 November 2007).
For further information:
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
DG Health and Consumer protection on tobacco
The Global Smoke Free Partnership
The European Respiratory Society
European Network for Smoking Prevention
EPHA related articles:
*Updated* Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke - EPHA responds
ENSP draws attention to indirect tobacco advertising in films
**UPDATED** Implementation of the tobacco advertising ban in Europe
