World No Tobacco Day is observed every May 31. The 2026 theme — "Protecting Youth from Tobacco Industry Interference" — drew attention to aggressive marketing strategies targeting young Africans, including flavored e-cigarettes and social media campaigns. In Nigeria, the National Tobacco Control Act prohibits tobacco advertising but enforcement challenges remain. Health Information Management professionals play a key role by ensuring accurate coding of tobacco-related diseases (ICD-10: F17, Z87.891), which informs policy decisions. NAHIMS SW encourages all chapters to organize campus health awareness activities on tobacco prevention.
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