Tobacco Documents Online

R.Nf. CORNER - REPORT ON VISIT TO NIGERIA (December 6-7)' A visit was made to La~ges to attend the meetingiof the General Advisory Committee (;GAC)! of the NMA, TACON. Represented on the GAC' are growers and distributors as well as the Advertising Association of Nigeria. Due to the political situation, this was the first time the GAC'had been able to meet since early in 11983. .. INFOTAB made a presentation covering developments on the inter- national scene, an account of the industry's major counter- measure activities, and an update of the informationi and resource support available from INFO'TAB. The first draft of an adaptation for Nigeria,of the "'threats to tobacco"' presentation for future use in discussions with agricultural authorities in the country was~ also given by INFbTAB'. This was particularly well received by the delegates, who put forward constructive proposalis as to how it could bee further adapted with a narrower national focus in appropriate parts for most effective use in the Nigerian context. TACON'1 and its member companies g;ave an account of the current situation in Nigeria, and the GAC delegates reportedlon develop- ments in their own state.s and' localities. The main: points were: - The Nigerian Committee oni Smoking, and Health (NICOSH) has not been active yet. However, the UICC will be using them toorganisea workshop in 19185. ~ ~ - TACON, with the help of the GAC' and of al!lies, are ~ preparing,an action plan to deal with this situation. ~ ~ - There are still basically no restrictions in Nigeria. CA However, the move to introduce them is expected. ~'

Anti-smoking propaganda in electronic media and the press is beginning to accelerate. A number of individuall pressure groups are active, and certain specific media interests discriminate against tobacco (and alcohol) - but this is only on a local basis. Not just Islamic, but other religious groups, have begun to be anti-smoking. Following the "'threats to tobacco" presentation, and the circulation of the Economic: Impact Studies for both Zimbabwe andi Malaysia, TACbNi dlecided to go aheadl at once with a full economic impact study for Nigeria.