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To protect the health and well-being of its citizens, the Ekiti State Government (EKSG) has officially announced a ban on tobacco smoking in all private and public places within Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The announcement was made on Friday at the launch of the ‘World No Tobacco Day 2025’ campaign, organized in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
The campaign, themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Tobacco Industry’s Tactics,” aims to shed light on the manipulative strategies employed by the tobacco industry to maintain and grow its consumer base.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Filani Oyebanji, who spoke to journalists at the event, emphasized that the ban represents a proactive effort by the government to safeguard the health and well-being of residents.
“This policy is designed to reduce the prevalence of tobacco-related illnesses, which have long been a major public health concern,” he said. The government’s commitment to curbing tobacco use is driven by growing evidence linking tobacco consumption to a wide range of diseases and social challenges.
Represented at the event by Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Oyebanji further elaborated on the critical reasons behind the ban.
He explained that tobacco use contributes significantly to various social vices and severe health problems, including respiratory diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular conditions. These health risks impose enormous burdens on families and the state’s healthcare system.
He highlighted the importance of intensifying public awareness, enforcing stricter regulations, and implementing effective cessation programs to support smokers in quitting. “Our goal is not only to prevent new users from picking up the habit but also to assist current smokers in their journey to quit,” Gbenga-Igotun said.
Furthermore, the health ministry plans to expand this anti-smoking initiative beyond Ado-Ekiti to include other local government areas within the state.
Dr. Oyebanji provided an insightful analysis of the tobacco industry’s long-standing and evolving tactics. “For decades, the industry has thrived on a simple but insidious tactic: appeal.
They have masked the harsh realities of addiction and disease behind glossy advertisements, celebrity endorsements, flavored products, and targeted marketing campaigns,” he stated.
He warned that the industry’s primary aim is to hook new users while maintaining the loyalty of addicted smokers. A particularly alarming aspect of their strategy is the aggressive targeting of young people.
Through attractive packaging, sweetened flavors, and pervasive social media marketing, tobacco and nicotine products are often portrayed as trendy and sophisticated.
However, behind this façade lies the grim truth: tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, responsible for millions of premature deaths each year.
The industry also focuses marketing efforts on vulnerable demographics, including youth and low-income communities, while attempting to influence policymakers and undermine public health measures.
With increasing awareness about the dangers of traditional smoking, the tobacco industry has shifted some focus to alternative nicotine products such as vapes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco devices.
These products are often marketed as “safer” or “less harmful” alternatives. However, Dr. Oyebanji cautioned that these alternatives are not without risks, and their long-term health effects remain unclear.
“The industry exploits regulatory gaps and public misinformation to push these products aggressively,” he noted. “It is crucial that we stay vigilant and continue to unmask these tactics while advocating for truth and transparency.”
He called for stronger regulations to close loopholes, accurate community education, and robust support systems for individuals seeking to quit tobacco use. “Our youth deserve to grow up free from manipulation by profit-driven industries,” he concluded.
Oluwafemi Akinbode, the Executive Director of CAPPA, commended Ekiti State’s initiative, describing it as a clear demonstration of strong political will aligned with global public health standards.
He underscored the importance of the ‘Smoke-Free Ekiti Project’ in protecting non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke, transforming societal attitudes towards tobacco use, and reducing the state’s future healthcare costs related to tobacco-induced illnesses.
Additionally, Bosun Osaloni, the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, praised both the state government and CAPPA for their collaborative efforts.
He pledged his full support toward the enforcement of the new regulations, including the rigorous implementation of laws that penalize individuals or entities that violate the tobacco smoking ban.
This cooperation between government bodies and civil society organizations signals a unified front in the fight against tobacco-related harm in Ekiti State.