The Federal Consumer and Competition Protection Commission, or FCCPC, has announced that it has completed its preparations to launch a television series that would promote anti-youth and anti-underage smoking messages.
When Dr. Hope Omeiza, the executive director of the Vanguard Against Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Center, paid him a visit on Thursday in Abuja, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, the commission’s interim executive chairman, revealed this.
“Let me take this opportunity to announce that we will be launching a TV series on June 1st, which will focus on advocating against underage smoking and youths. The show will air on DSTV for a year,” stated Abdullahi.
He continued by saying that the commission was making great efforts to guarantee the children’s and youths’ future in Nigeria.
He clarified that substance abuse encompassed more than just drug usage, including alcohol and tobacco, all of which he considered to be harmful to one’s health.
According to Abdullahi, the commission’s anti-smoking advocacy campaign, “They Don’t Ban Their Future,” has gained respect throughout the globe as a successful method of behavior modification.
“You are making a very big mistake because children learn from the elders,” he said with a scowl at those who send their kids to buy cigarettes and smoke them before them.
“They assume that what you are doing is excellent when they witness you doing it. They therefore proceed to partake in it.
a similar campaign would be organised specifically for tertiary institutions, secondary schools, and marketplaces among others.
He brought up the fact that the government spends a lot of money treating smokers’ lung conditions, particularly those brought on by secondhand smoke.
“It is our responsibility to educate people about the risks such behavior poses to their health and well-being,” he declared.
Additionally, he announced that the commission would soon set up phone lines so that smokers could call and speak with professionals about quitting.
Earlier, Omeiza commended FCCPC for the initiative, which he said would help significantly in tackling the menace of tobacco smoking and other illicit substance abuse.
He said that the initiative would open the eyes of youths and children on the dangers of consumption of tobacco and other illicit substances.
He promised the panel that the center will assist in ending juvenile and underage smoking.
