The Ekiti State government has officially banned the public consumption of nicotine and tobacco products across the state, signaling a major policy move aimed at safeguarding public health.
The announcement was made on Friday at the flag-off of the Smoke-Free Project and the 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign held in partnership with the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
At the event, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani — represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun — emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling tobacco use as a growing threat to public health.
“The state is taking decisive action to protect our people with clear and coordinated public health intervention,” Filani said, urging individuals, organisations, and stakeholders to support the state’s anti-tobacco efforts.
The Commissioner decried the harmful effects of tobacco, especially on youths, and called for stricter control, better public education, and the establishment of support groups for individuals attempting to quit smoking.
“We must educate the public about the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry, strengthen regulations, and prioritize health over profit,” he said. “This is a collective fight for a tobacco-free future.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ado Local Government, Hon. Bosun Osaloni, announced that the council would work with its legislative arm to pass local laws banning public smoking. He lamented the harmful impact of secondhand smoke in public places such as motor parks, bars, and restaurants.
The Executive Director of CAPPA, Mr. Oluwafemi Akinbode, commended the Ekiti government’s resolve, noting that Ado-Ekiti is set to become a smoke-free city through grassroots-level enforcement of existing tobacco control laws.
“This move is significant,” Akinbode said. “We’re bringing national and international tobacco regulations to the local level, where enforcement is most effective.”
He added that Nigeria already has a comprehensive legal framework for tobacco control and that extending enforcement to states like Ekiti is a critical next step.
The state’s ban aligns with global efforts to reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, especially among vulnerable populations, and reflects a growing national momentum for stronger public health policies.
