A research study has revealed that Nigeria records 28,876 tobacco-related death cases yearly.
The research which was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Economies of Africa (CSEA) estimated the deaths represent about 16 percent of deaths from smoking-related diseases and above 5 percent of all death cases.
According to a research associate with the CSEA, Marco Castradori, smoking generates a direct annual treatment cost of N526.45 billion, which, was equivalent to 0.36 percent of the Nigerian GDP in 2019, and 9.63 percent of the country’s annual healthcare spending.
“Among the disease analysed, nearly 737,366 events are expected each year, of which 127,859 representing 17 percent are attributable to cigarette consumption.
“In terms of costs, these conditions burden the Nigerian healthcare system with nearly N634 billion, of which 526.4 billion, representing 83 percent are smoking-attributable treatment costs.
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents the top cause of smoking-attributable mortality with 29 percent, followed by Ischemic heart disease with 17.5 percent, stroke with 13 percent.
“Other diseases include; passive smoking, 11.5 percent, lower respiratory tract infection 11 percent, and also cardiovascular deaths of non-ischemic cause 5.5 percent.
“In Nigeria, the tobacco tax collection does not currently fully cover the direct healthcare costs attributed to smoking. We also supplement the quantitative analysis through focus group discussions with smokers across six of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
“Five major key themes emanated from the discussions with the participants include; psychological effect, stigmatisation, reduced productivity, fall in the standard of living and change in physical health.
“Overall, the result underscores the need for broader tobacco control policies in Nigeria through more tobacco taxes and other supplementary measures,’’ he said.
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