Faisal Salisu DambattaThe Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has reiterated its demand for comprehensive smoke-free policies to protect Nigerians from second-hand smoke exposure in public places across the country.
CISLAC Executive Director, Mr Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, made the call during a one-day stakeholder training on the implementation of smoke-free policies on Thursday in Bauchi, aimed at building awareness and promoting policy engagement.
He said the training was aimed at promoting public policies that would reduce tobacco-related diseases, protect public health, and ensure safer environments for all Nigerians, especially non-smokers.
Musa noted that CISLAC operated as an evidence-based advocacy group focused on democratic governance, health, security, and anti-corruption, not as a humanitarian organisation.
CISLAC’s Senior Programme Officer on Democratic Governance, Mr Solomon Adoga, said protecting people from second-hand smoke was a human rights obligation requiring strong legal frameworks and enforcement.
Ms. Grace William, a stakeholder at the event, pledged continued sensitisation of communities, citizens, and government on the health impacts of smoking and the need for public smoking bans.
William called on all levels of government to adopt and enforce comprehensive smoke-free legislation, saying it was vital to protecting public health and ensuring cleaner public environments. (NAN)
