I finished my youth service a few years
ago and it has been difficult getting a job. Out of frustration and tiredness
of staying at home, I took up a job as a bar attendant at a local hotel.
However, since I started work, it’s been hell for me as I end
up inhaling cigarette smoke every day since customers are permitted to smoke
indoors. Well, I have always done my best to ignore it and say nothing about it
because I work at night and I am there alone with just one other person.
It has gotten to the point now, that
the employees that work the shift before I do smoke right before I get there. I
have frequent migraines and sinus issues from all of the residue that has been
left behind from them smoking and often times some residual smoke from them
smoking.
There is a window right in that section
and I have asked them repeatedly to please not smoke an hour before I am going
to get there and to please leave the window open when they do smoke and to open
the window up and air out the corner before I get there. Seems like a simple
enough request but they simply will not do it.
Now I am experiencing numerous health
consequences of breathing second hand smoke, including headaches, nausea,
dizziness, increased asthma, bronchitis, larengal-pharengeal reflux and
reactive airway. Not to mention the fact that the place just plain reeks! I am
outraged that by virtue of earning a living I am forced to breath "class
A" carcinogenic air. I have pleaded with the corporate office, provided
them overwhelming evidence that my work environment is not safe and they have
turned a blind eye. Leaving this job will mean me going back to being broke,
bored and frustrated, I do hope that I get something else real fast.
Andy's (not his real
name) story above is a picture of what the workplace can be like Abuja where he is based. As deploring as his story may be, the more
shocking fact is that this is a preventable cause. Things do not have to get to
a dilapidated stage before we do something about it. I therefore appeal to
the general public to join in this campaign to ban smoking in Nigeria. With the
Lagos State government recently passing a no-smoking in public places law,
it is time for the rest of the states to follow suit.
Together we can make impact in our
generation and save more lives, All you need do is to PARTICIPATE in the TC
RADIO CAMPAIGN and INVITE your FRIENDS & FAMILY to do the same as we all
join hands in stopping this dilemma before it's too late. To subscribe: Text
(TC Name Email Location Message) to 39405 as together we can make the change we
desire. You will be shocked how many lives you can save just from this singular
act.
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· For more facts and Tobacco Control tips visit www.tobaccoctrl.ng
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