A New Bill to Control Alcohol & Tobacco in Ethiopia
Emebet Alemayehu
A New Bill to Control Alcohol & Tobacco in Ethiopia
A new bill that prohibits alcohol producers, importers and distributors to directly or indirectly sponsor any public holidays, trade fairs as well as any events is being introduced by the Federal Food, Medicines & Health care Administration & Control Authority (FMHACA).
Unlike the existing proclamation, the new bill will introduce more restrictions on the way alcohol can be advertised to the public, as well as its usage. In addition, it also deals with tobacco usage and production.
The bill will also introduce articles concerning electronic cigarettes, and bans the import and distribution of flavoured tobaccos.
It obliges tobacco producers to cover 60pc of tobacco product packaging with health warnings. If producers do not comply, they could face fines of 50,000 Br to 100,000 Br.
The proposed rules bring Ethiopia in line with similar practices around the world that try to mitigate the devastating impact of the misuse of cigarettes and alcohol which have a severe impact on a nation’s health and well-being. Tobacco causes cancer and other illnesses to smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke according to the WHO. The destructiveness of the misuse of alcohol in lives and property is well documented. Most developed nations strictly restrict the sale and distribution of such products, especially to minors.
The government benefits from the sale of these products on one hand, while the ill impact on the national treasury from these products is also borne the government.
This new proclamation came in the aftermath of the launch of a number of local brewery companies, as well as known multinational firms both in the brewery and tobacco industry. Over the past decade, the Ethiopian brewery industry has seen more than 10 local and international 10 new beer brands enter the market.
Two months ago Heineken Brewery increased its production capacity to four million hectoliters a year. This month, a new beer brand called Zebidar joined the market.
The per capita consumption of beer is also increasing. In 2013, consumption was at five liters per capita while latest reports show that it has now escalated to over 10 liters.
Brewery and alcohol companies are known to operate as sponsors the behind many events including music concerts and trade fairs.
“This specific article will definitely affect our investment,” said a manager, who wished to be anonymous, from Heineken Brewery. “We knew about the bill and we were pushing for any possible changes.”
The effects will also be felt amongst event organizers, who rely on the companies to back their events.
“We didn’t have any idea about this proclamation,” said an industry player with more than two decades of experience in organizing trade fairs. “It will be impossible for us to prepare trade fairs without the support of companies in brewery industry.”
An expert of the industry, who wished to be unnamed, thinks applying the proclamation will definitely affect the industry.
“It is going to be a disaster,” said the expert.
Tobacco producers, importers, and wholesalers are also not allowed to donate any money or gifts to charities or make sponsorship deals with public knowledge. Any public body or a public servant is also barred from similar activities of receiving gifts or money from those involved in the tobacco manufacturing industry.
Smoke-free areas will be established, as well as age restrictions on the sale and purchase of tobacco products. Store owners are also expected to shelved tobacco in places which is not visible or reachable to buyers, according to the bill.
A year ago, the government issued a directive which will ban smoking in public areas. The rationale of the directive was to protect nonsmokers from tobacco-related illness and reduce the number of smokers in the nation.
Ethiopia has a high number of smoker relative to most African countries. Every year about 9,600 people die in Ethiopia due to tobacco-related illness, according to the Tobacco Atlas, created by the American Cancer Society and the World Lung Foundation.
More than 100,000 children and 2.3 million adults smoke cigarettes each day in Ethiopia, the same source indicate.
In May 2016, a new multinational investor, Japan Tobacco International entered the Ethiopian market, investing half a billion dollars in a 40pc stake of the National Tobacco Enterprise (NTE). The Ethiopian Government and Sheba Investment Group, previously jointly owned this Enterprise.
With this investment, the company is expected to upscale its outreach across the country. Last year, NTE recorded a 400 million Br profit from 1.7 billion Br in sales as of last year. The enterprise produced over nine billion pieces of tobacco just last year. The number is twice of the amount produced four years ago.
“We were not officially informed of the new bill, neither were we part of the preparation,” said Getu Alemayehu, communication director of NTE. “The articles about tobacco are not in line with the context of the country.”
BY DAWIT ENDESHAW
FORTUNE STAFF WRITER
PUBLISHED ON JAN 24,2017 [ VOL 17 ,NO 873]
Abebaw abebe
Dear Emebet! Many Thanks! But I feel the last year directives is not properly executed and it is not uncommon to see smokers in every corner of addis including hotels ,homes and other public areas. In addition , I didn't come across any case punished due to breach of the directives so far. I suggest the punishment shall also be applied on those who cooperate (some times they provide an ash tray to their customers in confidence). Lastly, In my Opinion the directives even at its present state not enforced because almost all Ex and Current ... are too addicted Chain smokers , drunkard & Chat chewers who polluted our environment.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "law2004entry" group.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/law2004entry.
sigma stat
Biruk T.
Hi Kuadr give me a piece of Niyala , oh! Why you are looking me.. give me fire....hubbb thanks... Hello guys what do you said? I can’t smoke here? Why? Ok, .... Where can I smoke? Do you recommend me the best place for me? I mean in Addis Ababa, sorry I hope that you guys are living in Ethiopia. By the way, now, I am walking around Piassa to Arat killo I need to rest and read Saturday news paper where could I seat with a good environment without pay? OH GOD! Bad smell ... I arrived Ras Mekonnen bridge... sorry I should rush to Turaco but it is a very expensive place. It is good to change my mind to 6 killo I crossed the road and took the 70 dereja road OHhhhh I can’t breath ohuuuu.... how it is smelly!!!... no word...tanks I got a man who is selling goods. Please could you give me Winston? I fired it .. oh it is good I look many guys are closing to me. I asked one of them ...”Do you smoke?” "No but it is smell good" she said with her smile. Her smile like a full moon it took my attention I forgot everything...we arrived with her at 6 killo.
Biruk T.
Hi Kuadr give me a piece of Niyala , oh! Why you are looking me.. give me fire....hubbb thanks... Hello guys what do you said? I can’t smoke here? Why? Ok, .... Where can I smoke? Do you recommend me the best place for me? I mean in Addis Ababa, sorry I hope that you guys are living in Ethiopia. By the way, now, I am walking around Piassa to Arat killo I need to rest and read Saturday news paper where could I seat with a good environment without pay? OH GOD! Bad smell ... I arrived Ras Mekonnen bridge... sorry I should rush to Turaco but it is a very expensive place. It is good to change my mind to 6 killo I crossed the road and took the 70 dereja road OHhhhh I can’t breath ohuuuu.... how it is smelly!!!... no word...tanks I got a man who is selling goods. Please could you give me Winston? I fired it .. oh it is good I look many guys are closing to me. I asked one of them ...”Do you smoke?” "No but it is smell good" she said with her smile. Her smile like a full moon it took my attention I forgot everything...we arrived with her at 6 killo.
On Sat, Jan 28, 2017 at 11:17 AM, Abebaw abebe <abeba...@gmail.com> wrote:
