Nigerian senator believes passage of anti-tobacco bill wil lead to unemployment..

April 15, 2009 - Chairman Senate Committee on Industry, Kamorudeen Adedibu maintained that the anti-tobacco bill (National Tobacco Bill) will be amended in such a way that it will not be to the disadvantage of tobacco companies in the country. Adedibu feels the passage of the bill will lead to at least 400,000 Nigerians being thrown into the unemployment market.

Describing the bill as a "misplaced priority" for the country, Adedibu, who represents Oyo South in the Senate also vowed to mobilise his colleagues in the upper legislative chamber to ensure that the bill is defeated. The bill is actually more than regulation. It is more than that. The bill, if it goes through and Insha Allah, it won't, will render the tobacco companies useless. It is going to increase smuggling and most especially, it is going to stop the necessary means of livelihood for over 400,000 people," the Senator stated.

He also hinted that the Senate should concern itself more with bills that will help people put money in their pockets, put food on their tables, boost education and not bills that will lead to unemployment.

According to him, the bill is currently before the Senate Committee on Health headed by Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.

Reference:Nigeria: Anti-Tobacco Bill Won't Affect Firms - Adedibu, Gbenga Abegunrin, Daily Independent (Lagos), 4/14/2009.

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