Traditional, religious and community leaders in Uding South area of Pella District in Hong LGA of Adamawa State have advocated a ban on open sale of tobacco to discourage youngsters from smoking.
The leaders, who spoke in turns during a sensitization and awareness activity organized by a non-governmental organisation, The Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation, hinted at poor parental upbringing as a major cause of habits such as smoking, adding that radical steps are needed to halt the trend.
They expressed the view that if government regulates the distribution and sales of tobacco, the rate of youths indulging in smoking will be reduced drastically, thereby preventing people from victims of heart-related diseases and other forms of smoking-related menace.
The coordinator of Pella District of The Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation, Umaru Hassan, said the campaign is aimed at raising public awareness about the negative impacts of tobacco smoking and why cultivation, production and distribution of tobacco should be curtailed.
Those who graced the event included the Village Head of Uding South, Ardo Edison Taya Klakusu; Assistant village head, Baba Adamu Gwala; as well as other community and religious leaders, retired and serving teachers and many politicians in the locality.
DAILY POST reports that apparent ineffective fight against public tobacco smoking around the country encourages a steady rise of the habit.
And tobacco smoking and illicit drug dealings are particularly rife within northern Adamawa, especially around or near the borderlines with the Cameroon Republic, including Hong LGA.
