Stakeholders in a one-day workshop at the weekend in Benin City, Edo State brainstormed on how best to end tobacco smoking among young people in Nigeria.
The workshop was organized by Mrs. Charity Aienobe-Asekharen,(the 2018 and 2019 Nigeria and United Nations Tobacco Control Champion respectively)as part of her Ph.D. Project at Brunel University London.
The workshop with the theme “Health Communication for Tobacco Smoking Prevention Among Young People in Nigeria”, gathered stakeholders from non-governmental organizations(NGOs) the Ministry of Health, Edo State, and students from both government and private secondary schools
Speaking, Aienobe-Asekharen, said, the meeting is a project to communicate the need to prevent tobacco smoking by young people in Nigeria.
“This workshop is to gain the views of organizations and individuals on the need for ending smoking among young people . We intend to create a sort of synergy among organizations and individuals to end smoking among young people which is widespread and will help us to achieve much with minimum effort. 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 build a relationship. In 2018, I became the Tobacco Control Champion for Nigeria and from that point, I have been working with young people to propagate the issue of 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.”
Speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Prof Obed Akoria
represented by
Dr.
The Edo State Ministry of Health joins 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 in 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, the State Director of the 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 start from the organizer.
“This is a good one from the organizer, we are thinking that the need to prevent smoking should be like our national anthem that should be sung in every event and in a gradual process it will become part of us, because of the consequences of tobacco smoking. “He said
Also, speaking, a student of Franej International Secondary 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, it was fun as she included the problem tree and other measures that will help me pass the information to my peers.”
