The Federal Government of Nigeria has restated its unwavering commitment to eradicating tobacco use by children in the country. The Minister of Youth and Development, Jamila Ibrahim, emphasized this during a courtesy visit by Ms Bintou Camara, the Regional Director of the Tobacco Control Programme (AFRO) Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in Abuja.
Ibrahim stressed that tobacco smoking among children poses a significant challenge to Nigeria. She emphasized the need for partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enlighten Nigerians about the adverse health effects of tobacco smoking on young people.
“Our focus will be on the health of adolescents. This is the area where we need to proactively implement strategies to prevent tobacco smoking among children,” stated the Minister. She also emphasized the importance of enforcing the law that prohibits tobacco smoking in public places, particularly to shield individuals from secondhand smoke.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) disclosed a few months ago that approximately 30,000 Nigerians die annually from tobacco-related diseases. These alarming statistics further underscore the urgency of addressing this pressing issue.
