The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Community Smoking Cessation Programme:An effective public health education project will educate the rural dwellers especially the youth on the dangers associated with environmental tobacco smoke,smokeless tobacco and tobacco smoking which are known to be human carcinogen.The programme highlights tobacco smoking in relation to economics and poverty,in the rural areas of Imo State - Nigeria.

Methods: To recruit smokers and make them quit smoking ,educate them on the dangers and carcinogenity associated with tobacco use, motivate quiters by giving them prizes and gifts especially those in the rural dwellers. To secure the communities interest.Mass training and social support has been an effective method of tobacco cessation.

Results: At these programmes, the rural dwellers have been able to know that environmental tobacco,smokeless tobacco and tobacco smoking are known to be human carcinogens.Poverty associated as a result of tobacco use were reduced.This programme recriuted 60%smokers, out of which 25% quited smoking and 5% were given prices in the rural dwellers of Eziama community.Mass training on the dangers of tobacco smoke were achieved.This programme has been done in 5 communities,17 post primary schools,10 high collages.

What need to be done: More tobacco activists needed in the campaign as only Extended Hand Incorporated EHI covers 10 states with a population of about 34 million people.More awareness need to created.Free gifts such as T-shirts,Fez caps,Football matches sponsorship and other forms of competition needs to used as a medium to fight tobacco use.Campaings should be extended to Health care centers,Hospitals,Pharmacies, Newspapers,Markets,Bars, etc in the South-Eastern and South - South Nigeria.