Nigerians consume 20 billion sticks of cigarette annually – Minister

Over 20 billion sticks of cigarettes are consumed annually in Nigeria, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has said.


Mr Adewole also said 4.5 million adults currently use tobacco products, while about 82 per cent of people who visit bars and nightclubs are exposed to second-hand smoke.
The minister, who spoke during a press briefing organised to mark the 2018 World No-Tobacco day celebration in Abuja on Monday, said in 2015, the country’s projected accumulated loss to tobacco was put at $7.6 billion.

The “World No Tobacco Day” is celebrated annually on May 31. This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is “Tobacco and Heart Disease.”

“Let me draw attention to the fact that tobacco use is responsible for huge economic losses emanating from both direct and indirect medical costs,” Mr Adewole said.

“It is estimated that Nigeria losses $800 million annually to stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
“In 2015, the projected accumulated loss to tobacco was put at $7.6 billion,” he said.
He said for every $1 gained from tobacco business, about $3 is expended on healthcare cost, noting that the tobacco industry makes huge profit without taking responsibility for the harm they do to public health.

Speaking on the trending shisha (flavoured tobacco) among young Nigerians, Mr Adewole said the country would not accept tobacco consumption in whatever disguise, as there is a need to protect the future of the country.

“A key outcome of this review was the ban on all characterising flavours including the addition of menthol into tobacco products.