Karu: The Executive Director of Cedars Refuge Foundation (CRF), Mr. Peter Unekwu-Ojo, has urged young Nigerians to abstain from using flavoured tobacco products due to the health dangers they pose. Unekwu-Ojo made this appeal during an anti-tobacco campaign held at Klinnicaps Academy in Koroduma, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the campaign was themed ‘Exposing Lies, Protecting Lives: Unmasking the Appeal of Tobacco and Nicotine Products,’ and aimed to highlight the deceptive strategies employed by the tobacco industry. Unekwu-Ojo emphasized that the campaign’s goal is to combat the rising tobacco use among young Nigerians by engaging students in enlightening sessions that reveal the harmful realities behind flashy advertisements and flavoured tobacco products.
Addressing the audience, Unekwu-Ojo criticized the manipulative tactics of tobacco companies, accusing them of targeting children and youths with glamorous packaging, enticing flavours, and high-profile adverts that conceal the dangerous consequences of addiction. He stressed that tobacco use is not a fashion statement but a disguised death sentence.
Mr. John Egla, Executive Director of Development Initiatives for Societal Health, reiterated the irreversible dangers of tobacco use, asserting that there is no safe level of smoking. He announced that Cedars Refuge Foundation will establish Tobacco-Free Clubs in 10 high schools across Nasarawa State to empower students with knowledge and advocacy tools against the tobacco industry.
Egla cited the 2018 Tobacco Atlas, which revealed alarming statistics of over 942 million men and 175 million women worldwide aged 15 and older who are smokers. He noted the rising usage in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, attributing this growth to increased affordability and aggressive marketing strategies targeting vulnerable youth populations.
Mr. Patrick Ori, the school principal, expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and continuous education. He urged students to resist peer pressure and highlighted the critical role of parental supervision in safeguarding their future.
Mrs. Precious Ojiaku, Dean of Studies, encouraged students to uphold strong moral values and avoid falling prey to nicotine hooks and flavour packages designed to entice and trap them. She stated that living a morally grounded life is the most effective resistance against an industry profiting from addiction and suffering. Ojiaku noted that the campaign is part of a broader Smoke-Free Campaign led by Cedars Refuge Foundation.
She added that the campaign also targets hotel operators, market leaders, motor park managers, primary health care centres, influencers, policy makers, and relevant stakeholders, stressing the importance of enforcing the smoke-free provisions of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act and Regulations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the high point of the campaign was the official establishment of a Tobacco-Free Club at Klinnicaps Academy, Karu. The foundation distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to support the club’s activities and empower students with facts and skills to stand against tobacco use.