Minister of Youth and Sports Development Dr. Jamila Ibrahim has called for collaborations with relevant stakeholders to enlighten Nigerians about the health risks associated with youth tobacco consumption.
According her, there must be proactive steps in establishing mechanisms that adopt a preventive stance towards tobacco smoking in children.
The Minister noted this when she received a team of tobacco control and youth advocates alongside the Africa Regional Director at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK),Mrs. Bintou Camara-Bityeki, and local partner organizations in Abuja, recently.
She said it is imperative to adhere to the Act prohibiting tobacco smoking in public areas, especially to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke.
She further emphasized her commitment to confront the issue of tobacco consumption among young people as she acknowledged the significant challenges posed by tobacco use among the nation’s youth.
The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids is a public health organization that supports and provides technical assistance to the government and CSOs in Nigeria to enact and implement tobacco control policies.
Also, Mrs Camara-Bityeki, in introducing the youth advocates, highlighted their mission to sensitize Nigerians about the hazards of tobacco use.
She opined that tobacco use is the gateway to the use of other substances, and tobacco companies target the youth to replace aging or ill users to ensure their profitability.
She “Tobacco smoking results in the deaths of eight million individuals annually, with 1.2 million connected to secondhand smoke exposure.”
“Tobacco’s negative health effects are well documented, and its consumption by the younger generation poses a significant threat to the country’s future,” she said.
Also, the CTFK In-Country lead,Michael Olaniyan said the importance of limiting tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, particularly in the entertainment industry, where tobacco imagery is glamorized to encourage the youth to take up the deadly habit.
In Nigeria, the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015 provides an essential legislative framework limiting tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
However, its effectiveness hinges on robust implementation, enforcement, and collaboration amongst relevant government agencies, advocacy groups, educators, and healthcare professionals.
A youth advocate and project lead for the Protecting and Activating Communities Against Tobacco (PACT) Program with hubs in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano, Maryam Ahmad stated that NYSC Camps in Nigeria are in violation of the Tobacco Control Law by the sale of tobacco products and tobacco use in public spaces in and around the camps, thereby exposing the youth to the deadly consequences of tobacco use including exposure to secondhand smoke.
