BATN Urges Fair, Balanced Regulation of Tobacco Industry

British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) has called on Senators and other industry stakeholders to work towards better and balanced regulation of the tobacco industry, for the benefit of all stakeholders.

This can only be achieved if the bill on regulating the tobacco industry that is currently being debated by the National Assembly takes into consideration the views of all stakeholders with the ultimate aim of drafting a bill that is effective and workable said Freddy Messanvi, director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BAT West Africa.

Speaking at  the Tobacco Control Bill Public Hearing organised by the Committee on Health of the Senate at the National Assembly, Abuja, October 15, 2014, Messanvi said that a balanced tobacco legislation will drive the attainment of the aims and objectives of the bill.

“Drafting a bill that will not make matters worse but will be workable, based on fact and evidence whilst achieving the aims for which it was set should be the focus as these bills are now being considered” said Messanvi, adding that “a legitimate tobacco industry that is well regulated has more benefits than one that is left in the hands of smugglers who are faceless and who have little or no stake in the country.”

An overly stringent legislation that hamstrings legitimate producers from operating in the country will only lead to opening up the country to illegal trading of tobacco in the country such as is happening in other countries. 

Such a scenario, said Messanvi, has dire consequences as the quality of tobacco products will be compromised and there will be a fall in government revenue and increase in the rate of smuggling with public health objectives not achieved.

“We are unabashedly protective of the industry because it is not only about the cigarettes that we see, but also about economic development engendered by legitimate businesses such as BATN and its entire industry chain which includes farmers, retailers, among others,” he said.

He added that, "Very stringent regulations will make production in Nigeria unattractive. Although demand of cigarettes will not abate, this will however be met by the illegal sources and more importation of cigarettes. “Jobs created will go elsewhere, and the market made more attractive for smugglers".   

It is believed that the issue of illegal trade remains one of major concern.

If the bill is passed and creates loopholes which smugglers can take advantage of, then the work done by different regulatory agencies to bring illicit trade levels down will be completely lost.

Messanvi said that “the concern of the bill to safeguard public health can only be realised if we have a workable regulation that will not in any form encourage illegal trading of tobacco product to thrive.”

The Tobacco Control Bill seeks to amongst other things provide for the regulation of the production, importation, advertising, promoting, sponsorship, distribution, sale and public space smoking areas.