By Akinwande Puddicombe
Tobacco use remains one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, responsible for more than 8 million deaths annually worldwide.
Despite decades of anti-smoking campaigns, over 1.1 billion people still smoke, and the numbers remain stubbornly high, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, the healthcare burden caused by smoking-related diseases continues to strain resources, yet millions of smokers find it difficult or impossible to quit.