By: Mohamed M. Sesay
After several recommitments to the Legislative Committee, the Fifth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone has on Wednesday the 3th of July 2022, unanimously debated and approved the Tobacco and Nicotine Act, 2021.
The fundamental purpose of the bill is to provide for the control and regulation of the production, manufacturing, importation, packaging and labeling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, sale and use of tobacco, tobacco products, and other nicotine products. The bill also seeks to provide for the improvement of public health by limiting the health harms caused by the use of, and exposure to tobacco including nicotine, and by reducing demand for tobacco and nicotine products and to provide for the incorporation of Sierra Leone’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention in Tobacco Control into domestic Law. The bill also provides for the establishment of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Secretariat responsible for the implementation of this Act and to provide for other related matters.
In her previous presentation, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Princess Dugba intimated Members of Parliament that each year tobacco kills eight million people and caused diseases related to cancer, lungs cancer, kidney diseases, and others.
The Deputy Minister assured that government is trying to prevent and reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine.
She added that tobacco-related diseases caused the government to spend over four billion Leone yearly.
According to her, the Bill has been through a nationwide consultation, in order to discuss the effect and importance of the Bill as well as the socio-economic development of the state.
The Parliamentary Chairman of the Health and Sanitation Committee Hon. Moses Jokie, commended the government for standing tall to addressing the issues of tobacco smoking and highlighted the negative impacts smoking has on its users and that of the state.
Hon. Joseph William-Lamin recalled during the time of slavery, when tobacco was used for the exchange of a black man and went on to condemn cigarette smoking for its negative effect on humans.
He pleaded for more actions to be taken to eradicate and control the tobacco system in the country.
Hon. Musa Fofanah referred to the Bill as a critical Bill that needed urgent action and commended institutions that supported the process. Hon. Foday Mario Kamara supported the passage of the bill and highlighted its effect on the development of the country.
Hon. Sahr Charles said the Board Council should champion the popularization of the Bill, when it has been enacted into law. He called for measures to be put in place to help addicted cigarette smokers with counseling.
The Opposition Leader Hon. Chernor R.M. Bah said in the pre-legislative hearings, he learned a lot about the importance of the Bill and called on those championing the Bill to provide a space for smokers and called for total support of the Bill, and requested wider consultation on the Bill.
The Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie supported the Bill, but cautioned the composition of the Board, adding that, when the Bill comes to the committee stage, it would be strictly scrutinized and commended colleague MPs for their contributions.
