There is a need for vigilance as tobacco manufacturers relentlessly pursue profits–Walter Mulombo
In a movement to combat the use of tobacco amongst youths, Medical experts and civil society organisations (CSO) have urged the Federal Government to spread awareness about the risks associated with tobacco products.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kacholllom, during the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day, held on Friday, in Abuja, emphasized on the urgent need to protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco.
And the steps taken by the Government, to address tobacco industry interference, including signing and ratifying the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and developing the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act 2015 and its implementing Regulations in 2019.
WHO’s Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, who was also in attendance, called for more action from the Government and other stakeholders.
He emphasized the need for vigilance as tobacco manufacturers relentlessly pursue profits over well-being.
“Companies rapidly launch new products that sidestep, or are not included, in current laws, and use every available means to expand their market shares, before regulations can catch up with them.
“Unfortunately, these tactics are working. Evidence from around the world shows an alarming uptake by children of some products, such as e-cigarettes.
“The tobacco industry is succeeding in its efforts to create a new generation of young people who smoke, vape, suck nicotine pouches or use snuff”. He said.
Despite some graphic warnings on cigarette packages in Nigeria, other tobacco products like shisha, snuff, and snus remain without such warnings.
And this is in contradiction to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires parties to enforce health warnings on tobacco product packaging.
With the 2024 graphic warnings, which is set to begin in June, experts and CSOs are pushing for these warnings to cover 60% of the display areas of all tobacco products.
Francis Fagbule, Public health consultant at the University of Ibadan, highlighted the legal requirement for graphic health warnings, noting that such warnings have proven effective in helping individuals quit tobacco.
A study by Development Gateway revealed an alarming increase in shisha smoking among students in high school and tertiary education. The study recommended restrictions on shisha flavors, awareness campaigns on its harmful effects, and interventions to help individuals quit.
Speaking, Dr. Tunji Akintade, former Chairman of the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, spoke on the need to strictly regulate all consumables that alter physiology, such as snuff and shisha.
There was a call for stronger compliance, monitoring and enforcement of existing tobacco control laws, including health warnings in English on shisha products.
