Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has decried delay by Federal Government to operationalise tobacco control fund.

NTCA chairman, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, at a press conference in Abuja, wondered why the health ministry failed to live up to its promises of Tuesday, June 28, during the 2022 World No Tobacco Day, to operationalise the fund within one month.

Oluwafemi argued that the delay has led to loss of billions of naira required to ensure protection of public health from destructive effects of tobacco in Nigeria.

He said: “We have watched and waited patiently to allow the ministry enough latitude to make good its promise. However, we are no longer at ease, as it is now over two months since that pledge was made without any sign of fulfilment.”

He added: “The continued delay is tantamount to self-injury on the Federal Government. Revenue, which should accrue to the fund from issuance of licenses to tobacco manufacturers and distributors, is being lost.

“Also, unavailability of an operational account for payment of licensing fees makes the operations of tobacco manufacturers, importers and distributors in the country illegal, as the companies have no licenses to back their operations.”

“It is also deeply concerning that the tobacco industry, with its awful public health implications, is indirectly being granted a ‘license-free-holiday’, and is allowed to operate in Nigeria without licenses because of government’s continued failure to make the tobacco control fund operational.”