[PHOTOS] Kwara State House of Assembly Moves to Tackle Rising Vaping Trend Among Youths

…..Lawmakers Call for Stronger Regulation, Awareness,Enforcement

The Kwara State House of Assembly has passed a motion of urgent public importance seeking stricter regulation, public sensitization, and enforcement measures to curb the trend and increasing prevalence of vaping and the use of e-cigarettes among young people.

The motion, titled “The Need to Address the Increasing Prevalence of Vaping and E-Cigarettes Among Youth in Kwara State” (KWHAM 6), was moved during plenary on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, by Hon. Arinola Fatima Lawal (Ilorin East), and co-sponsored by Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi (Ojomu/Balogun) and Hon. Abdulraheem Medinat Motunrayo (Lanwa/Ejidongari).

In her lead debate, Hon. Arinola Fatima Lawal described e-cigarettes as battery-powered devices that vaporize nicotine and other chemical substances to mimic the sensation of smoking traditional tobacco products.

She raised alarm over their growing popularity among minors, stressing the serious health risks and potential long-term social consequences associated with their unregulated use.

“Many young people falsely believe vaping is a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. The reality is that these devices often contain harmful chemicals that can damage lungs, impair brain development, and lead to addiction,” she warned.

Backing the motion, Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi highlighted anecdotal reports and emerging surveillance data indicating a steady rise in vaping among secondary and tertiary students in cities like Ilorin, Offa, and other urban areas.

He decried the ease with which minors purchase these products from small retail outlets and online platforms without regulation or age verification.

He emphasized that the rise is further exacerbated by the low level of awareness, weak enforcement of existing tobacco control laws, and a vacuum in parental and institutional monitoring.

“We need a robust legislative and regulatory framework to monitor the sale, marketing, and distribution of e-cigarettes, especially as it concerns children and teenagers. The absence of clear laws is currently being exploited by unlicensed vendors, digital marketers, and unscrupulous importers,” Ogbeni Ogunniyi added.

Following a robust debate, the House adopted the motion and resolved to:

1. Urge the Governor to direct the Ministry of Health to collaborate with the Ministry of Communications to begin a sustained media campaign on the health dangers of vaping and e-cigarette use.

2. Mandate the Ministry of Health to conduct statewide awareness and education campaigns targeting secondary and tertiary institutions.

3. Encourage parents, guardians, educators, mentors, religious and community leaders to engage youths in open conversations about the health hazards of e-cigarettes and vaping.

4. Call on the Ministry of Justice to strengthen enforcement and monitor compliance with tobacco control laws, including placing bans on advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship that glamorize smoking or vaping.

5. Advocate for stricter regulation on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, with heavy penalties for violators and illegal vendors.

The motion was widely supported by lawmakers, who unanimously agreed that vaping poses a growing public health challenge that must be proactively addressed.

The Assembly further urged the state government to consider enacting a comprehensive vaping and e-cigarette control policy to protect the future of Kwara’s youth.