Kano and Jigawa lead in tobacco smoking in Nigeria. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) reports that Kano and Jigawa states are at the forefront of tobacco consumption in Nigeria. Solomon Adoga, Senior Programs Officer at CISLAC, made this revelation during a one-day multi-stakeholders’ engagement on tobacco taxation in Jigawa State, organized by CISLAC with support from Tax Justice Network.
The primary objective of the event was to address the high prevalence of tobacco use in the state, particularly among the youth. Adoga lamented, “It’s disheartening to note that research indicates Kano and Jigawa lead the country in tobacco consumption, with a significant portion of users being youths, some of whom are minors.”
To combat this issue, Adoga emphasized the need for the state government to adopt and implement the National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and Tobacco Tax Policy. This, he argued, would be crucial in safeguarding the lives of the youth, who represent the future of the nation.
Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of engaging various stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, and the media. Such engagement aims to raise awareness about the hazards of tobacco use and advocate for the adoption and implementation of relevant laws by both the legislative and executive branches of government.
