Ekiti Cracks Down On Public Sm*king, Declares Zero Tolerance

According to Ireporter Online, the Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on smoking, vaping, and all forms of nicotine consumption, as part of renewed efforts to safeguard young people from addiction and its associated health risks.

The government raised concern over the rising use of vaping devices and other emerging nicotine products among youths, describing the trend as a significant and growing public health challenge that requires urgent intervention.

This position was made known by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Ado Ekiti to mark the 2026 World No Tobacco Day. The programme, organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services in collaboration with the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), was themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, the commissioner expressed concern over the increasing rate of smoking and substance abuse among young people, stressing that government intervention alone would not be sufficient to curb the trend. He called for stronger involvement from parents, religious leaders, and community stakeholders in sensitising youths about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use.

He further warned that second-hand smoke also poses serious health risks to non-smokers, urging collective responsibility in protecting public health. “Prevention begins at home. Parents, religious leaders and community stakeholders must become advocates. We must continue to educate our children and young people about the dangers of smoking and nicotine addiction before they become victims,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Abayomi Ibrahim, identified tobacco use as one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and deaths globally. He explained that exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and other life-threatening conditions, noting that nicotine addiction affects nearly all organs in the body and can result in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, infertility, and complications during pregnancy.

Dr. Ibrahim highlighted key challenges facing tobacco control in the state, including weak enforcement mechanisms, inadequate funding, poor data systems, and the increasing attractiveness of new tobacco products among young people. He noted that although Ekiti is among the first states in Nigeria to enact a smoke-free law, there is a need to strengthen and update existing legislation to align with global best practices.

Similarly, the Assistant Executive Director of CAPPA, Zikora Ibeh, warned that the tobacco industry is increasingly targeting young people through flavoured and attractively packaged products such as vapes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco devices, which are heavily promoted on social media to appear harmless and fashionable.

She revealed that recent research indicates many users of vaping products had never smoked traditional cigarettes before becoming addicted to nicotine through flavoured alternatives. Ibeh therefore urged the government to tighten regulations on advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and online sales of tobacco-related products, especially those aimed at minors, warning that the industry is actively working to create a new generation of nicotine users.