CISLAC targets women, children in anti-tobacco campaign
…urges Jigawa to enforce control laws The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has stepped up its anti-tobacco advocacy, focusing on the protection of women and children, while calling on the
...urges Jigawa to enforce control laws
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has stepped up its anti-tobacco advocacy, focusing on the protection of women and children, while calling on the Jigawa State Government to domesticate and fully enforce existing tobacco control laws.
The organisation made the appeal during a one-day workshop for civil society organisations and media practitioners held in Dutse.
Speaking at the event, CISLAC Programme Manager, Solomon Adoga, said the initiative was designed to strengthen tobacco control advocacy in Jigawa and across Nigeria.
He explained that the engagement also highlighted the disproportionate impact of tobacco use on women, underscoring the need for coordinated action to address the issue.
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“We are here to engage civil society in Jigawa on tobacco control issues and to see how we can advance the conversation, not just in the state but across the country,” he said.
Adoga noted that although tobacco use affects the general population, women remain particularly vulnerable as passive smokers, frequently exposed to secondhand smoke.
He added that such exposure poses significant health risks, including increased susceptibility to breast cancer, cervical cancer, and maternal health complications.
“Statistics show that women are mostly affected through secondhand smoke, which raises significant health concerns. These effects are sometimes more peculiar to women than men,” he added.
The CISLAC official stressed the need to integrate gender perspectives into tobacco control policies to ensure a comprehensive, society wide response.
He further called on Jigawa State to adopt and implement the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015, as well as the accompanying 2019 regulations, noting that both provide strong legal frameworks for regulating tobacco use and promoting smoke-free environments.
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Adoga also highlighted the role of tobacco taxation policies in discouraging consumption through increased excise duties on tobacco products.
On CISLAC’s strategy in Jigawa, he said the organisation aims to empower local civil society groups to take ownership of advocacy efforts and drive policy changes.
“Our goal is to build the capacity of civil society to champion these reforms while we continue to support and engage relevant stakeholders, including government agencies,” he said.
He disclosed that CISLAC has previously engaged ministries, departments and agencies in the state and is seeking to strengthen those relationships to curb the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Comparing progress across states, Adoga cited Kano and Bauchi as examples where civil society groups have developed action plans and are already working with government institutions to implement tobacco control measures.
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“In Bauchi, for instance, a committee has been constituted with a clear action plan, and we are providing technical support to ensure its success,” he said.
He, however, noted that Jigawa is still at an early stage in the process, expressing optimism that sustained advocacy would yield results.
Adoga also identified weak enforcement and low public awareness as major challenges hindering effective tobacco control in Nigeria.
While acknowledging funding constraints, he urged governments at all levels to prioritise enforcement of existing laws to maximise impact and protect public health.
