The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has identified Kano and Jigawa states as the top consumers of tobacco in Nigeria.
Solomon Adoga, a senior programmes officer at CISLAC, disclosed this during a one-day multi-stakeholders’ engagement on tobacco taxation in Jigawa State.
The event, organised by CISLAC with support from the Tax Justice Network, aimed to address the alarming levels of tobacco usage in the region, particularly among the youth.
Adoga emphasised the urgency to tackle tobacco consumption, citing research indicating that Kano and Jigawa rank highest in tobacco use nationwide, with a concerning proportion being underage individuals.
He underscored the necessity for state governments to adopt and implement the National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and Tobacco Tax Policy to safeguard the health of the youth, who represent the future leadership of the nation.
The engagement brought together various stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and the media. The collaborative effort sought to raise awareness about the perils of tobacco consumption and advocate for the adoption of pertinent legislation by both the legislative and executive branches of government.
