As Nigeria joins other countries to mark the 2016 World No to Tobacco Day, stakeholders have decried the prevalence of tobacco usage in the country in spite of its negative effects.
The stakeholders said in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan that there should be strong legislation to limit the manufacture, sale and consumption of tobacco.
Dr Omolara Esan, a retired clinical pathologist, said people still get addicted to smoking even while being aware of its danger to their health.
Esan noted that the World Health Organisation had indicated that over two million people die yearly in Africa as a result of tobacco consumption.
According to her, the prevalence of tobacco consumption is due to absence of strong legislation on smoking which allows manufacturing companies to lure many people to their untimely death.
Esan said smoking was the primary cause of lung cancer and other health hazards including, disabilities and death.
“These health risks have motivated the World Health Organisation to advocate making plain packaging, which involves removal of branding and making promotional information from tobacco products mandatory.
“WHO said that a good way to amplify the message that “tobacco kills” and disrupt the psychology of consumers of tobacco is by making the packaging of the product, plain, to increase the effectiveness of health warnings.
“Plain packaging of tobacco products refers to measures that restricts and prohibit the use of logos, colours, brand images and promotional information on packaging.
“The only information that could be displayed on it would be brand names, product names which should be displayed in a standard colour and font style approved by WHO,” she said.
Prof. Femi Ogunbiyi, a Consultant Pathologist at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, said death from tobacco consumption was on alarming increase globally and Nigerians should desist from the deadly habit.
Ogunbiyi said tobacco smoke was injurious to the lives of active and passive smokers.
“Passive smoking is inhalation of smoke called second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke by persons other than the intended active smoker.
“It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment causing its inhalation by people within that environment.
“Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke causes diseases, disability and death, and these risks are a matter of scientific consensus.
“These risks have been a major motivation for smoke-free laws in open places like work place and indoor public places, “he said.
Prof. Modupe Onadeko, a retired Consultant of Family Medicine at UCH also said that tobacco consumption is a major cause of death across the globe.
“The equivalent of this is that 150 fatalities (deaths) are recorded every hour according to WHO.
“As smoking levels decrease in high-income countries, tobacco companies are increasingly relying on market presence in developing economies, like Africa and Nigeria adding that this situation should be condemned.
“This year’s World No Tobacco Day aims to highlight the role of packaging as part of a comprehensive multi-sectorial approach to tobacco control.
“It also aims to facilitate policy development by member states and the globalisation of plain packaging by providing compelling and persuasive information.
“2016 theme, also seeks to support member states and civil societies, against tobacco industry interference in political processes leading to the adoption of plain packaging laws,” she said.
A lawyer, Mrs Mojisola Adetunmbi, said smoking in Nigeria was prohibited in public places and is punishable by a fine of not less than N200 and not exceeding N1000.
“ The penalty could also be imprisonment to a term of not less than one month and not exceeding two years, or both fine and imprisonment.
”Though the Tobacco Control Act in Nigeria, was signed into law by Ex- President Goodluck Jonathan on May 26, 2015, it has not been effectively enforced in Nigeria, “she said.
Mrs Funmi Akere, a Peer and Adolescent Mentor, said manufacturers of tobacco should stop luring the youths to early graves.
“Peer influence is the major reason why smoking is prevalent among our youths today and schools and parents should put hands on deck to fight this menace.
“Some parents may not discover that their children smoke because they will never smoke at home until they get to school or other social gatherings, “she said.
Akere, who is also an educationist and Director of JSAY Pre-varsity School, Oluyole Ibadan, appealed to parents to cooperate with the schools by getting closer to their children.
NAN reports that the theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day is: “Get Ready for Plain Packaging”.
The day is meant to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.(NAN)