Perturbed about the prevalent scourge of tobacco smoking among young people in Nigeria, stakeholders gathered in Benin City, the Edo State capital to chart a way forward on how to curb its menace in order to salvage the future of the young generation.
The workshop with the theme “Health Communication for Tobacco Smoking Prevention Among Young People in Nigeria using a co-design: What To Do And How”, enjoyed the gathering of stakeholders from Edo Ministries of Health and Education, Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs), National Orientation Agency, Media and students from both government and private secondary Schools
The convener of the Workshop, Mrs Charity Aienobe-Asekharen, the 2018 Tobacco Control Champion and 2019 World Health Organizations’ World No Tobacco Day Champion respectively, who is currently a Doctorate Researcher of Brunel University, London, said the workshop was geared towards idea generation on how best to prevent tobacco smoking among young people.
“This workshop is to gain the views of organizations and individuals on the need to prevent smoking among young people . We intend to create a sort of synergy among organizations and individuals to prevent smoking, which is on the increase, among young people . We have gained the interest, the input, and the perspective of those that will partner with us to further this discussion outside what we have done here today. What we have done is to build a relationship. In 2018, I became the Tobacco Control Champion for Nigeria. I have been working with young people to propagate the message of non tobacco smoking among young people and how to prevent it as a health communication strategist. From 2018 till now, that has been my main focus and that is why I have focused on it in my Ph.D.”
According to her, “For the past six to seven weeks, I have been going from school to school working with these young ones to ascertain their level of knowledge about tobacco smoking among young people and the inherent dangers associated with it. One of the summary of study findings showed that tobacco smoking remains the single most preventable cause of death.
Working with them, these students agreed that to a large extent, there is an increased rate of smoking among young people. They identified some of the root causes to include, peer preasure, depression, family background, stress, anxiety and more. These students haven identified some of these causes, went ahead to provide a road map and what they think should be done to prevent the ugly trend. This they achieved through short caption videos and songs.
“Some of the ideas generated by the students is what we have come together today to fine-tune into a more acceptable approach.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Prof Obeyi Akoria
represented by Dr. Uwa Okhuarobo lauded the effort of the organizer of the workshop, saying it was apt. “The workshop has brought together resource persons from different organizations to identify various ways we can all contribute to preventing smoking, especially among young people. I believe this goal has achieved during this workshop.
Its worthy of mention that Edo State Ministry of Health joined the rest of the world to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on the 31st of May 2022. It provided us another opportunity to reiterate the danger of tobacco use to our health. It further showed the Edo State government’s commitment to the fight against non-communicable diseases. We are not relenting on our efforts to sensitize young people through every available medium on why they should avoid smoking or the use of tobacco in any form.”
Also speaking, the State Director of National Orientation Agency, Austin Odili, represented by Richard Garuba said the project which is tailored on how to prevent tobacco smoking among young people was a good one for the organizer.
“This is a good one from the organizer, for us at NOA, we are thinking that the need to prevent tobacco smoking should be like our national anthem that should be sung in every event and in every gathering. Gradually, it will become part of us, because of the consequences of tobacco smoking. “He said
Representatives of the Ministry of Education in their presentation, agreed that the campaign against tobacco smoking will be taken more seriously in schools. “We are going to create more awareness using the Assembly grounds, disciplinary actions would be taken if any one is found culpable, and we would encourage NGOs whose specialty is in this area to frequent our schools to educate the children on dangers of tobacco smoking”
Also, speaking, a student of Franej International High School, Irabor Whitney said the programme has enlightened her on the danger of tobacco smoking. According to her. ” The six weeks project has made me understand the danger of tobacco smoking, and I’m taking the message I got from here to the streets, to my friends and to everyone around me. With the problem tree and other measures, I will be able to pass the information to my peers.”