Recently, medical experts and Civil Society Organisations have called on the Federal Government to fully implement Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Packaging and labelling, including shisha, snuff, and other tobacco products. This move is aimed at reducing consumption and spreading awareness about the risks associated with tobacco use. Of course, the fight against drugs in Nigeria has been ongoing for decades, with various efforts to combat Drug Abuse and trafficking. Nigeria has made some progress in implementing graphic warnings on cigarettes, but other tobacco products remain unlabelled.
World Health Organization (WHO) mandates countries to implement policies on tobacco product packaging, including health warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use. The 2024 yearly graphic warnings are set to begin in June 2024, and experts and CSOs urge the FG to implement graphic health warnings on 60% of display areas of tobacco products and others. Public Health consultant Francis Fagbule notes that labelling and graphic health warnings on tobacco products are essential to help people quit tobacco products. “Findings have shown that graphic health warnings have helped people quit taking tobacco products,” Fagbule said.
Some experts give insight on why Nigeria should follow directives.
Dr. Tunji Akintade, former Chairman of the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, advocates for strict Regulation of all consumable drugs. This includes snuff, shisha, marijuana, Colorado, and other hard drugs. “All these things are drugs, as far as I’m concerned, because it alters your physiology from one state to the other. Snuff, shisha, marijuana, or Colorado must be regulated. Even the adverts on Social Media for these products should be regularized,” Dr. Akintade said.
Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, emphasizes the need for Nigeria to adhere to WHO’s recommendations to discourage young people from taking up the habit. “Nigeria should adhere strictly to WHO’s recommendations to discourage young people who are impressionable from taking up the habit,” Jakpor said. The fight against drugs in Nigeria has evolved over the years, with increased efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been at the forefront of this fight, with seizures of illicit drugs and arrests of drug traffickers. However, more needs to be done to address the growing concern of drug abuse among youth.
Social determinants of health should also be addressed.
According to the NDLEA, drug abuse is a significant public health problem in Nigeria, with an estimated 14.4% of the population aged 15-64 years using drugs. The agency has reported a surge in the seizure of illicit drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, and heroin, in recent years. In 2020, the NDLEA seized over 8,000 kilograms of cannabis and arrested over 10,000 drug traffickers. The use of graphic health warnings on tobacco products is an effective way to reduce consumption and spread awareness about the risks associated with tobacco use.
Nigeria must adhere strictly to WHO’s recommendations to discourage young people from taking up the habit. By intensifying the fight against drugs with graphic warnings, Nigeria can make significant progress in reducing drug abuse and promoting public health. Graphic health warnings have been effective in other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In Australia, for example, graphic warnings were introduced in 2006, and smoking rates have declined significantly since then. According to the Australian Government Department of Health, smoking rates among adults decreased from 22.8% in 2001 to 12.2% in 2019.
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In addition to graphic health warnings, Nigeria must also address the social determinants of health, including poverty, education, and sanitation. These factors are critical in determining health outcomes and must be addressed to reduce drug abuse and promote public health. Poverty, for example, is a significant risk factor for drug abuse, and addressing Poverty through economic Empowerment programs can help reduce drug abuse. Education is also important in preventing drug usage. Nigeria must invest in drug education programs that target young people and provide them with the skills and knowledge to resist drug use. Sanitation is also essential, as a clean environment can help reduce the spread of diseases.