Nigeria, May 31 -- Each year on 31 May, World No Tobacco Day highlights the health, social, economic, and environmental consequences of tobacco use. This year's theme, "Unmasking the appeal: Countering nicotine and tobacco addiction," emphasises the growing and troubling trend of the tobacco and nicotine industry targeting children and adolescents.

Tobacco use remains a leading risk factor for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. These conditions continue to place enormous strain on families, communities, and already burdened health systems.

Globally, tobacco use has declined significantly, from 1.38 billion users in 2000 to around 1.2 billion in 2024-refle...