The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has revealed that Nigerians consumes more than 20 billion sticks of cigarette, annually.
The announcement was made on Monday at a sensitization workshop for law enforcement agencies and mass media on the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 in Abuja.
Adewole in a speech which was read by the Head of Department, Public Health, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, highlighted the negative effect of tobacco on our health.
He said: "According to Nigeria's adult tobacco survey, over 20 billion sticks of cigarettes are consumed in the country by 4.5 million adults. This is 5.6 per cent of our population annually. The survey shows that 4.1 million men and 500,000 women smoke in Nigeria, while 6.4 million adults are exposed to smokers. We have to fight this looming epidemic now.
"In May 2017, the World Health Organisation reported that tobacco presently kills more than seven million people each year. Six million deaths are from direct use while others are due to exposure to tobacco smoking.
"Low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria account for 80 per cent tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. This is an increased strain on our already weak and fragile health system."
"Tobacco is the only drug that has been linked to many cancers. It also contributes to many other health conditions. The government will begin the prohibition of the sale of tobacco to anyone below the age of 18 years. Secondly, the buying and sale of cigarettes will be sold in only a pack of 20 sticks. We will also ban the sale of tobacco through mails and other online devices. Smoking anywhere in the premises of a childcare, educational and healthcare facility shall also be prohibited."
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