The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday gave reasons on its recent ban on smoking of tobacco products with characterising flavours including Shisha (flavoured tobacco), saying the products contribute to the increasing rate of tobacco-related deaths in the country.

Shisha smoking is a way of smoking tobacco, sometimes mixed with fruit or molasses sugar, through a bowl with a hose or tube joined attached. The tube has a mouthpiece that the smoker uses to breath in the smoke.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Isaac Adewole, while speaking at a press conference organised to mark this year’s edition of the World No-Tobacco Day celebration on Monday in Abuja, said Nigeria losses $800 million annually to stroke, heart diseases and diabetes.

The Minister said the usage of the products, which have gained more popularity among young people in Nigeria, was as harmful as smoking cigarettes.

He also noted that 4.5 million adults, representing 5.6 per cent of the population, presently use tobacco products, adding that about 82 per cent of the entire population are exposed to second-hand smoke when visiting bars/night clubs.

“Evidence also shows that for every $1 gain from tobacco business, about $3 is expended on healthcare cost,” Adewole said.

He also called on law enforcement agencies including the Police to enforce the ban on the products.

“Let me stress that the ban on tobacco products with characterising flavours is still in place and the ban includes shisha because it has flavour. I, therefore, urge the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the law enforcement agencies to intensify arrest of defaulters,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, The Director-General of the CPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, said a committee had been set up to look into the issue of Shisha and other matters and further recommendations would be made soon.

He said, “Recently, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) which is responsible for creating the national industrial standard, convened a technical committee meeting with respect to the tobacco standard and the subject of shisha was discussed like any other tobacco product.

“And the new industry standards are undergoing the process now so it is not an illegal product now but soon the SON will come up with what the final standard will be.”

The Federal Government had approved an upward review of excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, indicating an increase in the prices of the products.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had noted that the increase in excise duty, which took effect on Monday, June 4, 2018, was to raise government’s fiscal revenues and reduce the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.

Although, some stakeholders in the manufacturing sector have expressed worry over the implementation of the new excise duty, saying the development would negatively impact the manufacturing sector.

A coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), comprising of Business Renaissance Group (BRG) and Sustained Development Collective (SDC), had also said the increase would undermine the performance of companies producing the products thereby leading to loss of jobs in the sector.