By Ahmed Ahmed
The Civil Society for Legislation Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strengthened the capacity of members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Bauchi on tobacco taxation and gender mainstreaming to address health and economic challenges.
The one-day training brought together 20 members of NAWOJ, representing various broadcast and print media organizations in the state.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Mohammed Murtala, Finance and Admin Officer at CISLAC, emphasized the critical role of NAWOJ in promoting tobacco taxation and control.
He highlighted that the tobacco industry deliberately targets young people, exposing them to greater risks and serving as a gateway to other social vices.
Murtala urged NAWOJ members to use their platforms to spread awareness about the dangers of tobacco consumption.
CISLAC’s Senior Programme Officer, Solomon Adoga, explained that increasing tobacco taxation would help reduce its usage.
He stressed the importance of gender inclusiveness in advocating for effective policy implementation.
Adoga further noted that tobacco companies are leveraging modern technologies to produce a variety of tobacco products, which pose severe health risks, including cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.
“Tobacco now exists in different forms, including conventional and rechargeable brands developed using advanced technologies,” Adoga added.
Earlier, Mrs. Rasheeda Yusuf, Chairperson of NAWOJ in Bauchi, described the training as an opportunity to enhance journalists’ knowledge on tobacco taxation, enabling them to create impactful media content.
She reaffirmed NAWOJ’s commitment to collaborating with organizations to improve the health and well-being of Bauchi residents.
“As journalists, we develop media content to highlight the dangers of tobacco consumption and engage women and children in advocating for gender mainstreaming, as women often bear the indirect consequences,” Yusuf stated.
She encouraged journalists to produce insightful content that informs the public and influences policy implementation on tobacco control.
