Women Journalists Urged to Lead Tobacco Control Advocacy

A workshop held in Gombe State on Wednesday aimed to address the disproportionate impact of tobacco use on women and children. Organized by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from the Tax Justice Network Africa, the event featured Comrade Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, who emphasized the crucial role of women journalists in shaping public attitudes and influencing tobacco control policies.

The workshop trained members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) to build capacity for tobacco tax advocacy through a gender-responsive lens. Research presented by Moham Muritala Musa indicated that tobacco exposure affects women differently, often more severely than men.

The workshop urged women journalists to use their platforms to advocate for stronger tobacco control policies, particularly regarding reproductive health. Abigail Kolo, chairperson of NAWOJ in Gombe State, noted the importance of the workshop in educating journalists to contribute to reducing tobacco use, which remains a serious public health concern.