Tobacco Control Interventions in Nigeria from 2012 to 2022: A Blueprint to Reduce Smoking Prevalence: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: The results of the risk factors associated with tobacco use is a public health concern that slows global progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensure healthy lives. This is more pronounced in low-income countries like Nigeria where tobacco use remains prevalent leading to various types of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to review systematically relevant literature to unravel the effects of interventions and policies geared towards tobacco control within Nigeria.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and ProQuest central databases, including an exploration of Google Scholar was carried out from 2012-22 for relevant studies within the last decade. The final selected studies were screened based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and their quality critically appraised. Six articles were included in the final review, 2 were cross-sectional studies, and 4 were experimental.

Results: Thematic and narrative synthesis of reports showed that tobacco price increase led to lower tobacco demand and use as the price elasticity of tobacco demand estimated in different target groups provided. Moreover, health education interventions positively affected tobacco control as there was a change in knowledge, attitude and practice in groups that had received interventions in Nigeria.

Conclusion: The chosen interventions and policies were effective in promoting tobacco control. There should therefore be an intentional drive to ensure enactment of policies based on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. A global effort also must also be put to tackle prevalent health inequalities especially in developing countries like Nigeria.