Accra, May 30, GNA - Parliamentarians on Wednesday called for an urgent introduction of the Tobacco Control Bill, which seeks to reduce and control the use of tobacco in the country, saying it was long overdue.

Making the presentation, Mr Francis Osafo-Mensah, Chairman of the Committee on Health said even though Ghana has ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the world's first public health treaty that contains measures designed to reduce tobacco related deaths and diseases, "it represents only the beginning of the process of reducing tobacco use and saving lives in the country." The statement is to commemorate World No Tobacco Day, which falls on May 31st, 2007.

Mr. Osafo-Mensah said it was the surest way of fulfilling Ghana's obligation under the FCTC to align the health system with the democratic values of the constitution and to enhance and protect the fundamental rights of citizens by discouraging the use, promotion and advertisement of tobacco products.

This is to reduce the incidence of tobacco-related illness and deaths and also prevent the effect of smoking on health and for a strong action to deter young people and adults from taking up the habit and of those already smoking to stop.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates tobacco usage causes five million deaths annually world-wide. This figure is projected to double in 2025.

Mr. Osafo-Mensah, NPP-Mpreaso, said it was paradoxical that not only active smokers suffer the demise, "but pathetically, the innocent ones that become passive smokers who thereby meet their untimely deaths. "This is indeed a great danger and a cause worthy to be fought by all to ensure that the larger public has a hundred per cent smoke free environment at their workplace as well as all public facilities as the only effective measure of protection."

The 'World No Tobacco Day' has been held over the last 19 years to hammer home the important message that tobacco and al its products are indeed a poison and potentially capable of taking a swipe on the health of everyone, regardless of sex, status and race.

This year's celebration focuses on a "Smoke Free Environment". Mr. Osafo-Mensah encouraged active smokers to give up the habit, saying that we should be mindful of the shrewdness of powerful tobacco industry who carve glamorous adverts on tobacco.

He urged Parliament not to fall to it, but be steadfast in legislating against the total ban on smoking in all form. Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, NDC-Wa West called for a stringent policy or legislation, which will ensure that passive smokers are fully protected.

The House also approved a 17.6 million euros loan agreement between Ghana and the Fortis Bank N.V. of the Netherlands to finance the proposed Barekese/Owabi Water Supply rehabilitation and expansion project.