The Kano State Government on Monday banned smoking in public places, State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa disclosed at a press briefing at Kano Ministry of Health to commemorate the World NO Tobacco Day.
He said the ban was to fight the tobacco epidemic in the country.
Nigeria records more than 16,100 annual deaths from tobacco-related diseases, according to the World Health Organisation ((WHO).
Tsanyawa said the government had committed a lot of resources to the control of non-communicable diseases in the state.
“We have an act that specifically talks about the ban of smoking in public places and to also stop the selling of it to children less than 18 years,” he said.
“Also, the Government will keep sensitizing the public to understand the risk of smoking and why they should quit smoking.”
Tsanyawa said there is currently a bill before the State House of Assembly to establish an agency to be called “Drug Abuse Control Agency” which will be saddled with ensuring that the rate of drug abuse is reduced in the state.
