Tobacco Control: Group Launches Health Campaign Via Social Media, Game App

A non-governmental organisation, Tobacco Control Nigeria, recently launched its public health and policy change campaign project using social media to advance tobacco control and support the passage of a comprehensive Tobacco Control (TC) law compliant with the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Using dance and drama, performed by university students and a music artist named Vocal Slender, the group began the launch activities of its social media campaign holding crowds bound with its message on the streets of Ajegunle in Lagos.

Speaking about the project, the representative of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Mrs Hilda Ochefu stated that "Smokers are victims and are not bad people, we have a responsibility to educate them and urge them to quit". Mr. Phillip Jakpor, representing Mr. Bode Oluwafemi, Director, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), also lauded the launch of the Tobacco Control Nigeria Social Media Campaign, saying that health must be prioritized over revenue.

"600,000 people are dying annually from second hand smoking" therefore efforts are being made to ensure that the Federal Government signs the bill into law by December 2013."

source: www.channelstv.com