Information reaching Becksblog.com.ng, that Jigawa and Kano states have been identified as having the highest prevalence of tobacco smokers among the 36 states in the Federation.
During a high-level stakeholders engagement at the 3-star hotel in Dutse, Mr. Solomon Adoga, the Senior Programmes Officer of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), revealed this information while discussing how state governments can implement the National Framework for Tobacco Control.
Adoga highlighted that CISLAC, in collaboration with the Tax Justice Network, orchestrated a sponsored multi-stakeholder engagement on tobacco taxation in Jigawa. The goal was to decrease tobacco usage due to its detrimental impact on health.
He said;
“it’s unfortunate that research has shown that Kano/Jigawa are on top of the list of states that use Tobacco in Nigeria, while majority of users are the youths and some with minor age.
“To control use of Tobacco it is of Paramount that Jigawa state government adopt and domesticate National Tobacco control Act (2015) and Tobacco Tax Policy to save lives of the youth who are future leaders in our states.
“Some of the laws that need to be adopted include ban on sale of cigarettes single stick, prohibition of smoking in public places and sale of Tobacco to minors (under eighteen years old) in the state”.
The Senior Programmes Officer emphasized that engaging with various stakeholders such as traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, and the media aims to raise awareness about the hazards of tobacco and advocate for both legislative and executive branches to adopt and implement relevant laws.
Solomon encouraged participants to bolster the campaign by lending their voices, aiming to achieve the desired goal of a better future and development for the state, ultimately saving thousands of lives, particularly among the youth population.
