Organization wants total war against tobacco smoking
Public spirited organizations throughout the country have been called upon to wage a total war against tobacco smoking. Addressing participants at one-day summit organized by People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance (PADDI) and American Cancer Society (ACI), the Executive Director of the organization, Mr Eze Eluchize said that World Health Organization statistics have shown that an estimated 5,000,000 people are dying annually as a result of tobacco products.
He, however, appealed to various bodies like unions, NGOs, civil societies, institutions communities and the government to fight the scourge that has been described as deadly disease.
According to the organizer, deaths caused by tobacco products are not restricted only to users but to non-smokers who inhale tobacco smoke either at work or in public places thereby resulting into fatal lung cancer.
The organization lamented government’s negative posture toward tobacco products and suggested that producers, should face serious penalty as a result of the disability being caused by tobacco products.
The UK and USA that own the two largest tobacco companies in the world namely British/American Tobacco in Ibadan, Oyo State and Philip Morris have introduced smoke free public place policies in most of their cities and they have also adopted 100 per cent smoke free laws in their bars and restaurants.
They warned that unless quick action is adopted by Nigeria to arrest the situation more deaths could be recorded as a result of tobacco smoke.
Other contributors are Mr Shola Oyebanji who also represented Dr Akinroye, Nigeria Heart Foundation, Mr Folorunsho Moshood, Educare Trust, Ibadan and Dr. Olanrewaju Onigbogi, UCH.
By CHRISTOPHER OJI, IROKO WHENU and ADAMU YUSUF
October 27, 2009
