Outgoing Health Minister Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor says government is doing its best to ensure speedy passage of the Tobacco Control bill this year. The bill has been approved by cabinet and is currently with the Attorney General. When passed, it will help develop national strategies for tobacco control, especially protection of non-smokers from exposure to fumes. Dr. Kumbuor is sure the bill will be passed this year. He told Joy News the legislation will help improve public health. “Where that bill is embedded has got a very large amount of public health concerns that are being regulated and legally framed up,” he stated, adding this makes the passage of the bill a necessity. A former Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa had accused the minister of frustrating efforts to have the bill passed into law. He accused Dr Kumbour of feet-dragging and lacking the political will to move the process forward. Source: Joy News/Ghana