Perception of Nigerian tobacco control law by consumers of tobacco products in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Tobacco use in any form has been identified for decades as a source of diseases and avoidable deaths all over the world. Cognizant of this fact, the Federal Government of Nigeria has, over the years, put in place successive laws to control the consumption of tobacco products. This study surveyed the awareness of tobacco control law by consumers of tobacco products; reasons for tobacco consumption;  knowledge of harmful effects of tobacco consumption on smokers; adverse effects on non-voluntary smokers; willingness to quit smoking; and reasons for unwillingness to quit. Neutralization and Rational Action theories were used as the basis for the study while survey  research design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select the eight wards in the two communities while simple random sampling technique was used to select four hundred and ninety-four participants for the study. The respondents completed standardised questionnaire which measured the constructs under study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected. Among other findings, 103 (15%) of the respondents are aware that cigarette smoking can cause cancer while 85 (13%) are aware that nonvoluntary smokers could develop heart diseases. A good number of the respondents 193 (41%) opined that tobacco warning messages are exaggerated; 209 (45%) – that the messages are distorted; 212 (45%) that the messages are boring. From the totality of the opinions expressed by respondents on the various issues covered by this study, it is obvious that many consumers of tobacco products are not aware of the measures put in place to curtail the consumption of tobacco products. To achieve the goal of safeguarding public health through tobacco smoking control, the paper recommends effective enforcement by the regulatory agencies and intensive awareness creation to educate members of the public on the health risks associated with consumption and exposure to tobacco products.