The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has urged for sufficient funding to be allocated towards tobacco control initiatives in Nigeria, to enhance the country’s standard in this regard.
During the inaugural National Tobacco Control Budget Advocates Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Chairman of the NTCA, made this plea. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that tobacco is responsible for over 8 million fatalities globally each year.
Speaking earlier, the National Coordinator, of the Non-communicable Diseases division of the alliance, Dr. Bako Deborah, said it is important to state that funding is a major provision of the NTC Act.
Section 8 of the Act, provides for the Tobacco Control Fund, which shall be used to fund tobacco control activities programs, and projects.