No Tobacco Day: Ogun scales up campaign against drug abuse

As the world marks the 2021 World No Tobacco Day, the Ogun state government stated that it has scaled up a campaign against abuse of drugs and other substances including tobacco.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, stated this Monday during a press briefing held at the Governor’s office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta in commemoration of the day.

Dr. Coker maintained that one of the major goals of the Dapo Abiodun administration is to improve the life expectancy of every citizen of the state, adding that through its campaign, it can help thousands of tobacco users make the choice to “commit to Quit” smoking.

Stating statistical analysis, Dr. Tomi Coker stated that every single day, more than 3,200 young children and teenagers under 18 smoke their first cigarette, while more than 2,100 young adults become daily smokers.

She further stated that nearly 9 of 10 smokers start before the age of 18 and almost all smokers start at 26 years.

She noted that 16,800 Nigerians die of tobacco-related illness annually, adding that every time a smoker lights up a cigarette or uses any form of tobacco, the toxic gases pass into the lungs, the chemicals into the bloodstream to every organ of the body.

Coker, therefore, said it is rather unfortunate that while the epidemic is decreasing in developed countries, developing countries whose economies cannot bear the socio-economic impact are in the early stages of the epidemic.

“The World No Tobacco Day is an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which is observed yearly on the 31st of May. As a government that has resolved to contribute its quota towards the reduction of climate change, diseases, and deaths caused by tobacco consumption.”

“Today, we join the global community in the celebration of World Tobacco Day. This is an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco, its negative impact on our environment, and the health of its users across all age groups and gender. Our hope is that with adequate enlightenment, many tobacco uses would “Commit to Quit”, as the theme goes for the 2021 World No Tobacco Day”, she stated.