The Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu-Funtua, on Tuesday, underscored the need for a school-based campaign against the use of tobacco in the country.
By Abbas Bamalli
The Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu-Funtua, on Tuesday, underscored the need for a school-based campaign against the use of tobacco in the country.
Adamu-Funtua made this known at a press briefing in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in Katsina.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the briefing was part of events organised on the occasion of the 2025 World Tobacco Day, with the theme, ” Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry.”
He said that raising awareness against tobacco consumption in schools, is effective in reducing the prevalence of smocking especially among young people.
According to him, it is important for all stakeholders to join hands in protecting youths in the state from health risks associated with cigarette smocking.
“A society that allows the exploitation of its youth by profit driven tobacco companies, is a society at risk.
“Therefore, let us choose health over harm, strength over addiction, together we can turn this message into a movement.
“Let us join hands with government agencies, civil society, media, health workers, educators, parents and young people to say ‘No’ to tobacco and Yes’ to life, health and a tobacco free Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
According to him, May 31 is globally dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use, and to advocate for effective policies that reduce its consumption.
He said events marking World Tobacco Day also aimed to expose the tactics used by the tobacco industry to lure customers, especially the youth.
“This is not only timely, but critically important, particularly for us here in Nigeria, where our youthful population is increasingly being exposed to the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry.
“The theme focused on exposing marketing strategies targeting young people, protecting youth from e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products and strengthening laws against tobacco advertising and sponsorship.
“According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, nearly one in five Nigerian adolescents have tried tobacco products.
“The age of initiating is dropping and the tobacco industry is using flavored products, digital media and lifestyle branding to target children by passing regulations and endangering lives,” he said.
He noted that the use of tobacco is responsible for over eight million deaths globally, over one million of which were related to exposure to second hand smoke. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)