The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) and the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) have said tobacco smoking pose a danger to health. They are seeking ways to stop smoking in Nigeria.
AGPMPN’s Lagos State chairman Dr. Adeyeye Arigbabuwo said tobacco smoking has done more harm than good to the people.
He spoke at a joint outing of AGPMPN/SOFPON at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos to mark the World Family Doctors’ Day.
The theme was: Smoking Cessation.
He said children were not spared the agonising pains of the consequences of smoking, adding that millions of people die yearly from premature deaths traceable to tobacco consumption.
For him, smoking affects people’s health, economy, social and environment, as well as spiritual life.
He described the family physician as the most appropriate ‘goal keeper’ for most ailments needing orthodox care.
Arigbabuwo charged private doctors to be prepared at all times because they are not sure of the status and types of patients that would walk into their facilities for treatment.
He said smoking may be the right and choice of some individuals, but free air is the right of everybody.
Tobacco smoking, he said, has been observed to thrive in low and medium income countries.
“The consequences of tobacco smoking have been observed to pose some bills too heavy for these underdeveloped nations to handle,” he said.
He said about 124 countries had been identified to cultivate tobacco on large hectares of land, adding that advanced countries take advantage of the production benefits as well as the largescale market and price dictation. But the poor farmers who borrow funds to cultivate end up with huge losses, he said.
He identified primary and secondary smokers, saying the former takes a willful decision to smoke by polluting the latter. This, he said, makes the air unsafe air because of the environmental pollution from the primary smoker.
Nigeria has joined the group of heavy smokers. The male population outnumbers the female population on a global index. About 30% of the male population the world over has been reported to engage in tobacco smoking. The female population is about 10 percent.
India and China have been long known to have good numerical world subscribers to tobacco smoking. Even research on children has confirmed good number of children with anticipatory consent to join the “Smokers Club” when they grow up.
He said there was need for advocacy to reduce tobacco related cancer cases, stressing that Nigeria should fight against the premature deaths of its productive population because “youths take pleasure in tobacco smoking”.
The chairman, Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), Lagos zone, Dr Blessing Chukwukelu said cigarette smoking is an unhealthy and lethal habit.
According to her, a persistent smoking habit greatly increases the risk of premature death.
Moreover, it has been recognised as a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive airway disease, lung cancer and other cancers.
Tobacco smoking, she said, accounts for 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in men and 50 percent in women across the world.
She said there was a linear relationship between duration and heaviness of smoking and its negative impact on somebody’s health.
“The development of nicotine dependence and smoking habit is linked to social influence from family and friends. Children who are exposed to smoking at home are more likely to experiment with it,” she said.
Mrs Chukwukelu said similar smoking patterns among family members can be explained through shared genes, adding: “The initiation, maintenance and cessation of smoking are strongly influenced by family members.
The family doctor said there is increasing concern for the health risk of second hand smoke.
Smoking cessation, she said was an important behavior change, which can have considerable effect on health outcomes.
She advocated family intervention, saying it has become a standard part of most substance abuse programmes. “So, support involving cooperative behavior and reinforcement by family members predict successful quitting,” Mrs Chukwukelu said.
