• WNTD raises concern over youths’ growing access to tobacco
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Last week, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) designed to raise global awareness regarding the challenges of tobacco consumption among the global population.
Sadly, despite years of intensive campaign against tobacco consumption, the interest has continued to grow significantly year after year as indicated by research outcomes. Observers noted that growing interest in tobacco consumption by young people is even the most worrisome, considering the health implications to the health of the demography who are expected to run global affairs in a few years’ time
At the end, many of them pay with their health, as reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other local and international resource centres indicated that millions of people die annually in Nigeria and beyond due to tobacco related ailments.
The easy access to these tobacco products, as well as its “affordability” seems to be responsible for the growing number of people immersed in tobacco consumption despite the dangers it poses to the health of the consumers.
Wendy (surname withheld) said she began to smoke at the age of 13 during her days in secondary school, and that it was her friends in school that exposed her to tobacco consumption, and it has been difficult to stop since then.
“We were in SS1 then in Abeokuta, and it started from shisha with different flavours. My friends (male inclusive) and I were invited for a birthday. In the middle of the birthday, my friends and I were moved to an obscured place, and I never knew the guys were well-prepared for that day and were with the shisha. That was how I had a taste of it and developed deep interest in tobacco consumption.”
Michael Chukwuka, a 31-year-old resident in FCT, Abuja, said he was committed to quitting smoking tobacco, and he successfully did through some help he got.
He said: “I told myself that it’s really high time I stopped smoking tobacco. I have been smoking for over 15 years since my early teen age, and I do not feel good about it. I have been struggling to quit but end up going back to my habit. But a few years ago, I promised myself and my family that I would do all my best to quit to be heathier.
“I will try to inspire my friends to do the same by setting an example. We are all tired of smoking. It takes a single step to stop, but addiction is holding us back. Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of the consumer.”
Ibrahim Dada said he was exposed to tobacco by his lecturer in year two in one of the northern universities, and it has been roller-coaster since then. “The man is late now. He was a man I respected so much because of the knowledge and expertise he displayed. I noticed he performs well when he has tobacco and alcohol besides. So, I never hesitated when he offered me a smoke because I wanted the kind of knowledge he had.
“Another motivation for me was from my friends and coursemates in school whom, during examinations and other academic works, study for a long time, perhaps, all night whenever add tobacco to their system, and many cases, marijuana (Indian hemp). So, my naiivity convinced me that one could perform better when such substances are added to the body. That was how the journey started, and it has been on for years now.”
He also made reference to an experience he had in a Lagos hospital a few years ago. “How can you tell or convince me that smoking is bad when a reputable Surgeon who successfully did major surgery on me a few years ago had to smoke several sticks of cigarette and even took some bottles of alcohol before he could effectively and clearly work.
“In fact, I was awake all through the procedure. He, from time to time, does some top-up whenever it looks like the nicotine and alcoholic content in his body has reduced. I also had similar experiences in several places, particularly among highly educated and exposed people who admire, including women. Something is obviously not adding up.”
He noted that many of the people who are doing amazing things in different fields of endeavour consume tobacco, openly or secretly.
Anselm Nze, a tobacco consumer resident in Apo, Abuja, said he started smoking very early in life in Kaduna, and that was because he was exposed early to tobacco in the environment where he lived especially from his medical doctor neighbor.
He said: “Because I saw people around me smoke, I was forced to taste it, and the rest was history. I hid it from my family while I was in secondary school, but I had to go all the way after secondary school. I am over 40 years old, and I still smoke after several cautions about the dangers of smoking.
“I missed the first woman I wanted to marry a few years ago when she discovered that I smoke. I desire to quit smoking, but it is not easy, but I have started the steps. I pray that God will help me to succeed.”
A 28 year old Abdulrasheed Oloyede said he has been smoking since he was 19 years old. “On several occasions, I have been punished for smoking, but that has not changed me from smoking. I have been exposed to the dangers of smoking, but it has been difficult for me to quit.”
Another tobacco consumer, Salim Abubakar, said he quit smoking after he almost lost his life to ailment that was said to have been caused by tobacco. “It was a very difficult decision to quit smoking, but I had to consider my life. If not that I suffered that ailment, nothing would have made me quit tobacco consumption.”
A female respondent, Maria Alande, said she started smoking right from her days in a female boarding school in Abuja. “I really don’t know how I developed the taste for smoking to the point that I have become addicted to smoking.
“There was a day I almost got caught during work hours. I was uncomfortable at work , and I decided to take a break. I went straight to my car to smoke. Little did I know that someone was monitoring me. It was God that saved me that day.”
Sandra, a waiter in a lounge (name withheld) in Adetokunbo Ademola crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, said they have a high number of “underage” customers especially females who indulge in tobacco consumption.
“Sometimes I wonder the family these girls come from. We have an obscured VIP section of the lounge. The price of items is, sometimes, 100 per cent higher in the VIP section of the lounge. And that’s where these young ladies often choose to use, sometimes alone and sometimes with their male friends.”
Observers, WHO, alarm
Observers said that tobacco companies have been making the fight against tobacco consumption difficult for the government and stakeholders, adding that the tobacco companies have designed a “from attraction to deception” and digital marketing strategies to increase the appeal of tobacco and nicotine products, shape perceptions through misleading narratives such as so-called “harm reduction” and drive youth consumption.
World Health Organization (WHO), on its part, has also raised concerns about dangerous roles tobacco companies play in the growing interest of underaged people in tobacco consumption.
However, it stated that the 2025 WNTD which focuses on the theme “Unmasking the appeal: Exposing industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine products” will provide the opportunity for global leaders to amplify the campaign against tobacco consumption particularly among younger folks.
Records show that tobacco use remains one of the world’s leading causes of preventable death. Over 146 000 people die from tobacco-related causes in the African region each year. Today, more than 61 million people in the region use tobacco. Of serious concern is the increasing prevalence of use among adolescents aged 13 to 15. Over six per cent in this age group are already using tobacco products, many drawn in by misleading designs and messages.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said, “Adolescents are particularly vulnerable. The developing brain is more susceptible to nicotine addiction and its long-term effects, including impaired cognitive develop