Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged tobacco companies in the country to always obey rules and regulations standardizing their production.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that the governor made this plea at his Alawusa Office, Ikeja, when he played host to the Managing Director of the British American Tobacco (BAT), Nigeria, Mr.Keith Gretton.

“As we do business today, we must think about the future, because without people there can’t be business. Therefore, I think tobacco companies like yours should begin to focus on doing things that will prolong the lives of their customers.

“Many of the diseases we have today are caused by the lifestyle choices that people make and these diseases are becoming more complex as a result of substance dependency and so on.

“I urge companies that produce all these things to adhere strictly to regulations, especially laws that seek to mitigate these risks,” he said.

Also, governor Fashola however acknowledged the efforts of the company in creating job for teeming unemployed Nigerians, adding that the government would continue to create condusive environment for the company to grow.

In his respond, Mr Gretton said BAT would continue to perform its corporate responsibilities to host communities in Nigeria.

He also said that the company is building its headquarters in Lagos as a way of demonstrating its long term commitment to Nigeria.

Gretton said BAT believes Nigeria has a bright economic future and would continue to support the country.