Kano State Health Ministry Urges Public to Quit Tobacco Smoking
The Kano State Ministry of Health has urged the public to quit cigarette smoking to protect themselves from its harmful effects. This appeal was made in a statement on Monday by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Information Officer for the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, emphasized this message during a press briefing to mark the 2024 World No Tobacco Day. Dr. Yusuf highlighted that tobacco is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases, which significantly increase the risk of severe health outcomes and death.
“Tobacco use is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, renal failure, various cancers, and intestinal ischemia, among other conditions,” Dr. Yusuf stated. He further warned that smoking poses risks even before birth, as pregnant women who smoke expose their unborn children to congenital disorders, cancer, lung diseases, and sudden death.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, Dr. Yusuf noted that tobacco is responsible for over 8 million deaths annually worldwide, with over 7 million of those due to direct tobacco use and around 1.2 million from second-hand smoke. He also pointed out that over 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.
In Nigeria, the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey revealed that 5.6% of Nigerians aged 15 and older were using tobacco products, with 3.9% being current smokers. A study showed that 6.2% of youths in Kano smoke cigarettes, with higher prevalence among boys (11.4%) compared to girls (1.8%).
Dr. Yusuf expressed concern that unless stronger tobacco control policies are implemented, including increased public awareness and higher taxes on tobacco products, smoking rates will continue to rise. He highlighted the efforts of the administration under Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, which have included training law enforcement officers to enforce the National Tobacco Control Act (NTC) 2015, and conducting the Data on Youth and Tobacco in Africa (DaYTA) survey for adolescents aged 10-17 years.
Further initiatives include planning the establishment of Tobacco-Free Clubs in selected secondary schools and sensitizing owners and managers of public places on the enforcement of smoke-free provisions of the NTC Act and Regulations.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to the fight against tobacco smoking and urges the public to join in these efforts to create a healthier future for all.
