As the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) surges among Nigerian youth, the advocacy group Gatefield Impact has launched a strategic campaign calling on the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, to immediately ban the sale of vape and e-cigarette products to individuals under the age of 18.
In a statement released by Gatefield’s Media Officer, Elizabeth Nwaiwu, in Abuja yesterday, the organisation urged the Ministry of Health to also enforce strict age-verification measures, warning that Nigeria faces an emerging public health crisis unless swift action is taken.
According to the statement, “Vaping is no longer a fringe issue; it is fast becoming a national epidemic.”