A SURVEY OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS AND ITS CORRESPONDING EFFECTS ON CONSUMPTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to  examine effect of consumer protection laws on consumption of tobacco in Ado Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Specifically, the study examined if consumer protection laws have any negative effect on the consumption of Tobacco products. Furthermore, if there is a check on the age of all purchasers who appears to be under the age of 27 or scanner locks. If the consumption of tobacco and cigarette be encouragingly scrapped off completely.and also if there are  checks on the level of consumption in a higher or lower rate . The study employed the survey descriptive research design. Questionnaire was used for data collection which was raised against a four Likert scale of Strongly Agree(SA), Agree(A), Strongly Disagree(SD) and Disagree(D). A total of 72 respondents were purposively selected as sample size comprising of tobacco consumers  from five selected communities in Ado Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Out of the 80 respondents, 72 responses were validated from the survey. The study adopted the health belief theories From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that There is a  effect of consumer protection laws on consumption of tobacco product.the study also concludes that there is a check on the age of all purchasers who appears to be under the age of 27 or "scanner locks".the study also concludes that  Tobacco product consumption and cigarette can be encouragingly scrapped  off if not completely. Furthermore, There are check on the level of consumption in a higher or lower rate and if also properly consumed. With respect to the  findings and conclusions of this study, it was therefore recommended that The federal government of Nigeria should  putting up appropriate regulations to operationalize the laws guiding the consumption of tobacco Act. Also, there should be stringent regulation on the consumption of tobacco in other for under age children to not have assess to it. The study further concludes that there should be more laws on consumer protection as it seems the laws already in place are not active enough.