ABUJA (Health Ministry’ Report)- The Federal Ministry of Health is set to launch a 6-months national tobacco control communications campaign in the country. The campaign, which will be launched on Thursday June 15, 2017, in Abuja, follows the announcement by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, of 9 provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 to be enforced by the Federal Government.
The ‘Tobacco-Free Nigeria’ campaign, aims to educate Nigerians on the NTC Act 2015 and raise awareness on the dangers of tobacco smoke. “The campaign will leverage on social media and offline interactions to reach young Nigerians, especially second-hand smokers who need to be aware of the ban of smoking in public places and protect themselves.”
The Ministry of Health has appointed Nigerian music superstars, Timi Dakolo and Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, popularly known as Mr. Eazi as well as a young influential leader, Miss Saadatu Hamu Aliyu of the World Economic Forum’s Abuja Global Shapers Hub to leverage their influence with the young people of Nigeria.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that tobacco use is currently responsible for the death of about 6 million people annually across the world with 80% of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria. This includes about 600,000 people who are also estimated to die from the effects of second-hand smoke.
This campaign is supported by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Washington DC and Gatefield Impact.
