Comrade Philip Jakpor, (Head, Media & Campaigns) Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), in this illuminating chat with Assistant Politics Editor, Daniel Kanu, speaks on the hazards caused by Shisha, a tobacco-related product which the youths are getting hooked to.
Also, he praised the Heath Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole on his giant strides and the way forward if the Shisha challenge must be won by
Anti-Tobacco advocacy groups.
Recently the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole asked the security agencies to clamp down on shisha bars. What is your take on this
That announcement made on the occasion of the 2018 World No Tobacco Day commemoration in Abuja was timely and long expected by the public health community. As we have said time and time again, shisha is a tobacco product, contains nicotine and many harmful substances. Unfortunately the tobacco industry and marketers of this lethal product portray it as less harmful and even chic. Ladies are made to believe that it makes them look sexy and appealing. We have equally seen a host of entertainers and celebrities glamorize shisha and circulate themselves in shisha bars on social media. This deceptive narrative is what the minister is targeting in his charge for a clampdown on shisha bars. It will save the youth from moving from frying pan to fire and we anticipate that the security agencies will not wait for any other directive before enforcing this life-saving charge.
Are there scientific researches or reports to back the belief that shisha is as harmful as you have elaborated?
There are evidences and these are in the public domain. A recent study by University of Nairobi found shisha had traces of opiates, and concluded that smoking the product has effects similar to smoking tobacco. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lung Association have all come out with reports detailing shisha as harmful and deadly.
Infact, it was these horrifying findings that informed the decision of many countries to ban the product.
Here in Africa, it is no longer news that Tanzania has banned it. Rwanda started enforcing a ban in December 2017. Kenya also joined in December last year. Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, have equally banned it. Not only is it harmful to users, since it is smoked using a pipe, users are exposed to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. The University of Nairobi study alerted on this. These findings necessitated our call earlier this year that Nigeria should also take the prohibition path. We are elated that the minister hearkened to this call.
What of the side effects? Tell us more about them
Without claiming expertise in the field of medicine, we want to rely on what medical experts have said which has been confirmed. The content of shisha, like cigarettes, include nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic, lead and other poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals. Unfortunately, like flavored cigarettes, shisha comes in a host of appealing flavours such as coconut, strawberry, chocolate etc. that make them appealing to the uninformed who indulge in it ignorantly but gradually having an appointment with death.
Just like cigarettes, the side effects may not be immediately noticeable. As patrons continue to take in the appealing bottled poisons, with time the toxic vapors damage their vital organs and then they end up as liability to themselves and society. That is why all hands must be on deck to ensure the right information is put out there to change the mistaken narrative on shisha.
Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been explicit in their observation that water-pipe smokers and second-hand smokers are exposed to the same health risks associated with cigarette smoking.
Do you think the Ministry of Health will work this talk?
Thus far we must commend the ministry of health and particularly the current minister, Professor Adewole for his determination to ensure the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act is implemented to the letter. We believe the path to achieving that is not too far anymore judging by what has happened in the last three years.
Within this period the ministry announced nine key provisions of the Act for enforcement, including ban on smoking in public places and prohibition of sale to minors, among others. These are not subject to any regulation. The minister also succeeded in getting the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to give its nod to regulations developed by the ministry for implementation of the Act. This happened on June 4, this year. On the occasion of this year’s World No Tobacco Day the minister also charged security agencies to clamp down on shisha bars. These are commendable actions and we believe more are ahead.
So what in your view do you consider as the next step if we must record the needed success?
A lot of public education and awareness creation is needed. The Ministry of Health must continue to collaborate with civil society to expose the tobacco industry and keep it in check. As we all know, the tobacco industry is like the devil that never sleeps. It is anticipated that the FEC-approved regulations will now go before the National Assembly for their endorsement so that full implementation of the Act will begin. All hands must now be on deck.