Paediatricians Advocate for Children’s Protection Against Tobacco Exposure and Use

• Paediatricians, led by Prof. Edwin Eseigbe, stressed the importance of shielding children from the tobacco industry’s influence
• The Nigeria Tobacco-Free School Initiative (NTFSI) aims to raise awareness among teachers and students about tobacco risks

Paediatricians have urged parents and teachers to protect children from tobacco use and its harmful effects.

This call follows a week-long programme organized by the Nigeria Tobacco-Free School Initiative (NTFSI) in selected Federal Capital Territory (FCT) secondary schools.

NTFSI is recognized as a crucial strategy for tobacco control and prevention during childhood.

Prof. Edwin Eseigbe, leading a group of paediatricians from the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), emphasized the importance of shielding children from the tobacco industry’s influence.

The health experts highlighted the detrimental impacts of tobacco use and exposure during childhood, including birth defects, impaired brain development, sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory diseases, and cancer.

They also discussed new strategies employed by the tobacco industry to attract children to tobacco products, emphasizing the need for action by all stakeholders in childcare to protect Nigerian children from these dangers.

Supported by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), NTFSI aims to maintain tobacco-free environments in Nigerian schools.

It focuses on raising awareness among teachers and students about tobacco risks, empowering students to reject tobacco, offering cessation services in schools, and advocating for tobacco prevention among relevant stakeholders.

During presentations at Kabusa Community Secondary School and Government Secondary School Garki, the expert team received a warm reception from school staff and students.