According to the NTCA, Nigeria records 28,000 deaths per year from tobacco consumption.

According to the NTCA, Nigeria records 28,000 deaths per year from tobacco consumption.

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has warned that compliance with rules on other tobacco containing substances like Shisha and snuff is at an all time low and that an estimated 28, 000 persons in Nigeria die each year as a result of tobacco usage. On Tuesday, November 8, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Chairman of NTCA, said at a press conference in Abuja that a recent survey revealed an improvement in the compliance level on cigarette packets but a decrease in the compliance level for snuff and shisha. As an Alliance, we have kept up our efforts to reinforce the policy advancements to date. To determine the level of compliance with the policy on all tobacco products in the nation as recently as October 2022, we, therefore, commissioned a survey. The survey was carried out in Ekiti, Adamawa, Cross River, Abia, Abuja, and Kano. When results from this survey were compared with results from a similar survey we conducted in 2021, the results showed a significant increase in the compliance level on cigarette packs, with an estimated 90% compliance. However, it is deeply concerning to find out that other tobacco products such as snuff and shisha (which have become notoriously popular among young people) have no graphic health warnings and still carry outdated text warnings. The compliance level of this group of tobacco products is estimated to be below 10%, he said. We, therefore, call on the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Ministries of Health and Environment, the National Security and Civil Defense Corps, and all agencies charged with monitoring and enforcing the National Tobacco Control Act to wake up to their responsibilities. Enforcement agencies must particularly monitor and enforce the policy on all tobacco products, not only on cigarette packs. Also, policy implementation cannot continue to be centered in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Lagos. A good policy is not only good for urban centers. There is a need to take enforcement of the graphic health warnings policy in Nigeria hinterlands to ensure compliance. We note that it is possible that noncompliant products may be moved far inland where enforcement is low or nonexistent he said.

Category  Health and Wellness
News Source   https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2022/11/nigeria-records-28000
Date Posted   1 year ago