The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective:

The objective is to raise the awareness of the harmful effect of tobacco consumption through education using the grass root approach especially among the youth.

The world Health Organisation(WHO) estimates that approximately 5 million people die each year worldwide from tobacco-related illnesses. It is further estimated that if current trend continues the figure may rise to about 10 per year by 2005. Interestingly, tobacco consumption has fallen over the past 20years in most high-income countries such as the United States , Australia , Britain , Canada and most European countries. Contrary to this , tobacco consumption rates are expected to increase to 5.09 million tones in developing countries , representing 1.7% growth rate between 1998 and 2010. Many ‘institutionalised methods have failed' because they are far away from the targeted beneficiaries.

Methods: Anti-Tobacco youth group was formed initially with about twenty-eight members.These members were trained through workshops , seminars and one-on-one personal reflections about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption with the leaders. All the initial members then became disciples in the community, impacting and influencing the youth through person contacts, health education and organisation of sporting and other social activities among others.

Results:

Currently, the group has over 350 Anti- tobacco member (not only the youth but the elderly as well ) who are facilitators , 5% of this youth were smokers at the beginning of the programme but have stopped completely. 15 out of the 33 Electoral Areas in the District have banned smoking in public places. The impact will be great if the effort is supported.