A youth-led initiative, the Protecting and Activating Communities Against Tobacco, has called on the Lagos State Government to provide smoke-free public places to ensure implementation of the Tobacco Control Act of 2015.

This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Friday by Lagos Lead Officer of PACT, George Adjete,

Mr Adjete urged the government to take action towards a smoke-free future by banning smoking in public spaces and putting up smoke-free signage in public spaces.

He said PACT gave the advice during the CleanAirNaija Stakeholders’ meeting organised in Lagos, saying the call was to strengthen the implementation of the tobacco act.

The National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, regulates all aspects of tobacco control including smoke free places, tobacco advertising, sponsorship, tobacco packaging and labelling.

Mr Adjete said, “Nigeria, according to the reports, has the fourth-highest number of deaths from secondhand smoke in Africa, with 27.6 million Nigerians exposed to smoking in public places. The urgent need to create smoke-free public places in Lagos State cannot be overemphasised and the government’s response to this call is eagerly awaited.

“Lagos is a pioneer member of C40 Cities, a global network of major cities that work together to address climate change and sustainable environmental practices with a focus on quality air.

“It is important to mention that tobacco smoke is a harmful pollutant because it’s an aerosol full of particles from burning tobacco and additives. These particles are numerous than those emitted by an idling diesel engine, to give you an idea. If you smoke three cigarettes, in 30 minutes you emit 10 times more harmful particles than a diesel engine. Government officials should converse with young people to enforce laws and implement policies against tobacco misuse, especially in public spaces within the state.”

Mr Adjete added that smoke-free spaces were critical for the health, and economic growth of the nation

“Government should create awareness/campaigns to enlighten people on the dangers of second-hand smoke and avoid further construction of designated smoking areas to avoid indoor smoking,” he said.

Also, President, Lagos State University Medical Students Association, Lana Promise, called on government’s agencies saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the tobacco act to collaborate with youth-led movements to ensure implementation.

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Babatunde Ajayi, said youth engagement and public awareness campaigns were among steps being taken by the state government to address tobacco control.

(NAN)