Despite the fact that 4.5 million Nigerians aged 15 and older smoke, the Federal Government of Nigeria claims that tobacco-related diseases are the cause of more than 26,800 annual fatalities in the country.
The Federal Competitive Consumer Protection Commission made a statement on Monday that included this information.
The FCCPC’s acting executive vice chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, made this announcement in a statement on Monday during the organization’s ceremonial luncheon for tobacco control advocacy, which was themed “Don’t burn their future.”
Remember that earlier last month, President Bola Tinubu removed former EVC Babatunde Irukera and nominated Adamu Abdullahi as the acting EVC of the FCCPC.
Abdullahi, who spoke at the ceremony, stated that the effort tackles the concerning increase in minors’ and youths’ access to tobacco products.
He went on to say that the action was also taken to lessen the negative effects on society.
Abdullahi emphasized that sound health is a dynamic state that includes social, mental, and physical well-being.
The acting FCCPC boss commended the proactive measures taken by the Federal Government, “including the enactment of the National Tobacco Control Act in 2015,”
He added that the government’s commitment to creating a smoke-free environment and fulfilling international obligations under the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
According to Abdullahi, smoking poses a significant risk for noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, stroke, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders.
He disclosed that there are over eight million deaths globally annually, more than seven million of which are attributable to direct tobacco use and roughly 1.2 million to secondhand smoke exposure among non-smokers.