RVHA Commits Smoking Prohibition Bill To Committee Stage

A bill seeking to prohibit smoking in Public Places in Rivers State has been committed to Committee stage.

Committing the bill into the Committee stage Wednesday, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry who presided over the sitting stated that indiscriminate of smoking by people has adversely affected the Ozone Layers.

He urged the House Committee on health to consult widely including the smokers, second hand smokers and non-smokers in other to bring a workable recommendation that would help the House passed the bill into law.

Before the bill was committed into the committee stage, some lawmakers who contributed during the debate had suggested for the establishment of special centres for smoking in the state.

Taking the lead during the debate, Hon. Somiari-Stewart Linda stated that a recent report from America revealed that many people are at the risk of contacting cancer due to smoking adding that children who are the second hand smokers have the high rate increase heart disease which leads to their early death.

She urged her colleagues to give the bill the urgent attention it sought so that the bill can be passed into law.

In their own views, Hon. Inimgba, Irene (Phalga 11), Ibani Owaji (Andoni) Ngozi Chioma (Elga 11) and Hon. Chidi Liyod (Emohua) suggested a smoking centres be designated within the state.

The Lawmakers were of the opinion that such measures would protect both second hand smokers and non smokers from the various health problems associated from smoking as well as promote good environment in the state.

The lawmakers opined that the essence of the bill is to curtail the indiscriminate and abuse of smoking in the society.

Akujobi Amadi/Faith Isaac