FG Hints of Anti-Smoking Law In Offices

Minister of Health, Prof.
Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said the
Federal Government is working on
a legislation against smoking in
public offices.
The minister stated this at a briefing
in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister said there would soon
be a strong law against smoking in
public offices, saying those who did
not like it should consider relocating
from the country.
Chukwu said, "One of the best ways
of tackling health issues, especially as
they relate to health, is prevention,
and one of the steps is by curtailing
smoking.
"There is a strong law on smoking
that is coming. If you do not like it,
leave Nigeria."
The minister, who said, there were
enough public and private hospitals
in the country to take care of over 99
per cent of the health needs of
citizens, added that the one per cent
that went abroad were mainly those
who did so out of choice.
He also acknowledged that there
were unscrupulous elements in the
sector who aided the foreign
hospitals by issuing unnecessary
referrals.
He said, "As far as health care is
concerned, there is no country in the
world that has everything. Less than
one per cent of Nigerians actually
have the need to go abroad for
treatment. For the majority, what
they need is available in Nigeria. You
do not have to go abroad, but if you
like to be swindled, it is up to you."