The Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria (TBI), Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye, has called for stricter enforcement and sustainable financing of tobacco control measures to protect public health and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Oyo State.
Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye made the appeal on Thursday during a live appearance on The Platform programme on Success 105.3FM, hosted by Akeem Kareem. The discussion, themed “Building a Healthier Ọ̀yo State: The Role of Tobacco Control in Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases,” examined strategies for addressing tobacco-related health risks across the state.
Speaking during the programme, he stressed that tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer, heart disease, stroke and chronic respiratory illnesses worldwide.
He noted that tobacco-related diseases claim more than eight million lives globally each year, while non-communicable diseases account for about 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria already has a robust legal framework, including the National Tobacco Control Act and the Oyo State Smoke-Free Law, to regulate tobacco use and protect citizens.
However, he identified weak enforcement and inadequate funding as major obstacles limiting the effectiveness of these policies.
Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye emphasized that consistent implementation of existing laws, alongside sustained public education and awareness campaigns, would significantly reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths.
He further urged residents to refrain from smoking, protect children and non-smokers from second-hand smoke, and actively support smoke-free environments to ensure a healthier future for all.
