Effect of Tobacco Laws and Regulations on Advertising and Sales of Tobacco Products in Selected Local Governments in Ibadan Metropolis

The risks of cigarette smoking to public health make it one of the biggest public health issues in the world, and improved understanding of cigarette smoking behaviors is necessary. With countless warnings from manufacturers and advertisers of tobacco products, the rate of smoking in Nigeria has been on the increase. The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of tobacco laws and regulations on sales and consumption of tobacco products in Nigeria. The population of the study was 258 while the sampling size was 60. Questionnaire was administered randomly on selected respondents in tobacco retail shops in the five local government areas of Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. Findings revealed that there is significant relationship between advertising and sales of tobacco products [X2 calculated (9.6) > X2 tabulated (3.841)] and that there is significant relationship between tobacco control bill and consumption of tobacco products [X2 calculated (13.06) > X2 tabulated (3.841)] in the five selected local government councils in Ibadan metropolis. It is concluded that with the stringent laws and regulations on advertising and sales of tobacco products, yet, the sales of tobacco product are on the increase. It is therefore recommended that communication should be strengthened to discourage more users, encourage present consumers of tobacco products to quit smoking habit, and that a cessation programme be introduced to reduce the total number of tobacco users by the Federal Ministry of Health.