As the world marks the 2021 World No Tobacco Day, the Ogun state government said it has scaled up campaign against abuse of drug and other substances including tobacco.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, stated this Monday at a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta in commemoration of the day.
Dr. Coker stated that one of the major goals of the Dapo Abiodun administration is to improve the life expectancy of every citizen of the state, adding that through its campaign, it can help thousands of tobacco users make the choice to “commit to Quit” smoking.
Stating statistical analysis, Dr. Coker stated that every single day, more than 3,200 young children and teenagers under 18 smoke their first cigarette, while more than 2,100 young adults become daily smokers.
She further stated that nearly 9 of 10 smokers start before the age of 18 and almost all smokers start at 26 years.
She noted that 16,800 Nigerians die of tobacco related illness annually, adding that every time a smoker lights up a cigarette or use any form of tobacco, the toxic gases pass into the lungs, the chemicals into the blood stream to every organ of the body.
Coker said it is rather unfortunate that while the epidemic is decreasing in developed countries, developing countries whose economy cannot bare the socio-economic impact are in the early stages of the epidemic.
