By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano
In efforts to enlightened the public about the danger of tobacco smoking to health.Kano state Ministry of health in collaboration with state Ministry of Education is planning to commence the establishment Tobacco-Free Clubs in some selected secondary schools and planning and. to also sensitize owners and managers of public places Hotels, Motor parks, markets etc. on the enforcement of the smokefree provision of the NTC Act and Regulations.
Kano state commissioner for health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said this while briefing journalists for the commemoration of World No Tobacco day in Kanot.The theme for this year’ accasion is “Protecting children from tobacco industries interference”
He explained that occasion is important as it is set out to inform the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what government and partners are doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
He added that Tobacco is the major risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and is associated with higher risk of developing severe outcomes from these diseases and eventually death. Identifiable risks from smoking include chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, renal failure, cancers, intestinal ischemia among others.
In addition he said that harms from tobacco begin before birth, as pregnant women who smoke (or as second-hand smoke) give birth to infants at higher risk of congenital disorders, cancer, lung diseases, and sudden death.
The commissioner of health.Dr.Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said according to World Health Organization, globally, tobacco accounts for more than 8 million deaths annually, with more than 7 million of those deaths coming from direct tobacco use while about 1.2 million as a result of non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
Adding that WHO report also shows that over 80 percent of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.3. Globally 942 million men and 175 million women ages 15 or older are current smokers. It has been noted recently prevalence of tobacco smoking is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria .
He said in Nigeria, the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), showed that 5.6% (4.5 million) Nigerians 15 years and older were currently using tobacco products of which 3.9% (3.1 million) were current smokers. A study has shown that youths smoking cigarettes in Kano are 6.2% (Boys 11.4%, Girls 1.8%). This trend is likely occurring because of income growth and increasing cigarette affordability, as well as the tobacco industry’s strategy of aggressive marketing in those countries, unless governments implement stronger tobacco control policies, including creating more awareness on danger of tobacco smoking, raising taxes to increase prices of tobacco products among other measures tobacco smoking will continue to rise.
He said that since the inception of this administration the state Government in collaboration with partners and other stakeholders have made remarkable achievements. These amongst others include: Training of law enforcement officers from several law enforcement agencies on enforcing the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 in which the Act contains several provisions that provides for the protection of children, such as the ban on sale and purchase of tobacco and tobacco products by minors.Currently conducting the Data on Youth and Tobacco in Africa survey, for adolescents aged b
World Tobacco Day: Kano Government Takes Majors In Enlightening Public On Dangers Of Tobacco Smoking
By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano
In efforts to enlightened the public about the danger of tobacco smoking to health.Kano state Ministry of health in collaboration with state Ministry of Education is planning to commence the establishment Tobacco-Free Clubs in some selected secondary schools and planning and. to also sensitize owners and managers of public places Hotels, Motor parks, markets etc. on the enforcement of the smokefree provision of the NTC Act and Regulations.
Kano state commissioner of health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said this while briefing journalists for the commemoration of World No Tobacco day in Kanot.The theme for this year’ accasion is “Protecting children from tobacco industries interference”
He explained that occasion is important as it is set out to inform the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what government and partners are doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
He added that Tobacco is the major risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and is associated with higher risk of developing severe outcomes from these diseases and eventually death. Identifiable risks from smoking include chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, renal failure, cancers, intestinal ischemia among others.
In addition he said that harms from tobacco begin before birth, as pregnant women who smoke (or as second-hand smoke) give birth to infants at higher risk of congenital disorders, cancer, lung diseases, and sudden death.
The commissioner of health.Dr.Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said according to World Health Organization, globally, tobacco accounts for more than 8 million deaths annually, with more than 7 million of those deaths coming from direct tobacco use while about 1.2 million as a result of non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
Adding that WHO report also shows that over 80 percent of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.3. Globally 942 million men and 175 million women ages 15 or older are current smokers. It has been noted recently prevalence of tobacco smoking is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria .
He said in Nigeria, the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), showed that 5.6% (4.5 million) Nigerians 15 years and older were currently using tobacco products of which 3.9% (3.1 million) were current smokers. A study has shown that youths smoking cigarettes in Kano are 6.2% (Boys 11.4%, Girls 1.8%). This trend is likely occurring because of income growth and increasing cigarette affordability, as well as the tobacco industry’s strategy of aggressive marketing in those countries, unless governments implement stronger tobacco control policies, including creating more awareness on danger of tobacco smoking, raising taxes to increase prices of tobacco products among other measures tobacco smoking will continue to rise.
He said that since the inception of this administration the state Government in collaboration with partners and other stakeholders have made remarkable achievements. These amongst others include: Training of law enforcement officers from several law enforcement agencies on enforcing the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 in which the Act contains several provisions that provides for the protection of children, such as the ban on sale and purchase of tobacco and tobacco products by minors.Currently conducting the Data on Youth and Tobacco in Africa survey, for adolescents aged between 10-17 years.
He shows that effective tobacco control is multisectoral and hence cannot be achieved alone by the State Ministry of Health alone. Dr Abubakar Labaran therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act and its Regulations.
In view of these laudable initiatives and achievements he thank Governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his immense support to the health sector and express gratitude to the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II for his immense support to healthcare delivery in the State.
Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf commended the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA and other bdevelopment partners such as the WHO, UNICEF, Management Sciences for Health, Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation.Project HOPE, Lafiya, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Rotary, CHAI, Malaria Consortium, Solina, KECCOH among others for their support in improving the lives of the people of Kano.
