Authority Cracks Down on Tobacco Disposal

Jun 15 , 2024


The proper collection, treatment, and disposal of tobacco product waste is put forth by regulators at the Ethiopian Food & Drug Authority (EFDA). Officials have taken a step to combat illicit tobacco use and improper disposal practices by establishing a new directive for the management of sub-standard and illegal products. Signed by Heran Gerba, head of the Authority, the directive proposes to prevent the circulation of unauthorised tobacco products and unconventional disposal methods that could harm public health and the environment. The authorities intend to regulate the activities of manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers through mandatory disposal mechanisms. This will involve close monitoring of trade practices to ensure compliance and safeguard public and environmental health. A crucial objective of the directive is to prevent the reuse of disposable tobacco products. Each year, vast quantities of cigarette butts and other tobacco waste are improperly discarded in open areas, streets, drains, and landfills. Manufacturers like Yahiyerihad Abate, Corporate Affairs head at the National Tobacco Enterprise, have expressed their support for the new regulations. He believes that clearly defined disposal standards are essential for successful implementation. His company primarily disposes of tobacco products that have reached the end of their designated shelf life due to medical warnings or when defects occur during exports to Sudan.


Radar

Parliament Nods for Cabinet Appointments

Federal legislators have approved five cabinet-level positions last week with a member of Parliament (MP) voted against and two abstentions were counted. Gedion Timotheos (PhD) leads the charge as the new minister of Foreign Affairs, filling in Taye Asqeselassie's shoes, where he stayed briefly before becoming the country's president. With law degrees from Addis Abeba and Central European universities, Gedion was previously Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Joining him in the redev...


Radar

Abyssinia Group Eyes Expansion with IFC Funding

Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI), a leading East African steel producer, is poised for significant expansion owing to a proposed investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is considering a financing package of up to 50 million dollars, including parallel loans in local currency. Headquartered in Kenya, AGI operates two steel plants in Ethiopia, six in Kenya, and has mining activities in Uganda. AGI currently produces 660,000 metric tons of steel annually and employs...


Radar

Fitch Acknowledges Easing Financial Pressures, Enhanced Macroeconomic Stability

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ethiopia's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (LTLC IDR) to 'CCC+' from 'CCC-', citing easing financing pressures, improved macroeconomic stability, and increased confidence that local-currency obligations will not be part of the ongoing debt restructuring. This positive development comes as the government implements key reforms and secures renewed concessional external financing. The ratings agency has taken note of the introduction of a market-based ex...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email