How Most Nigerians Expose Kids to Alcohol and Cigarettes

Many Nigerians (especially the poor ones), unwittingly expose kids to all sorts of things; some parents are not even aware of the harm they are exposing their kids to.

Here are some of the ways Nigerian children are exposed to alcohol, cigarettes and sex

Alcohol

Most children are exposed to alcohol at a very young age. In Nigeria there are no laws restricting the sale of alcohol to minors, that is why many Nigerian parents can send their underage kid to buy alcoholic drinks from across the street. It is very normal to see a 10 year old kid walk into a shop and purchase a bottle or can of beer, and no one would bat an eyelid because it is assumed that the kid is buying the beer for his or her parent(s).

Unlike in the western world where you have to be 18 years and above in order to be served an alcoholic drink in a pub (with a show of ID), but in Nigeria, no one asks you for your identity card, all they want to see is your cash; whoever is drinking the beer is none of their concern.

Cigarettes

Many kids are sent out to buy cigarettes and no one asks for identification, because most cigarette vendors assume that the cigarettes bought by the kids are meant for an adult. Research has shown that many Nigerian adults who smoke started this habit at a very tender age (between 12 and 13 years of age). Cigarettes, like alcohol are very easy to purchase in Nigeria, a kid can just walk up to a kiosk and ask for a pack of cigarettes and no one would ask him or her who the cigarettes are meant for.

Pornography

Most kids are exposed to pornographic materials at an early age. Many street traders display graphic hard porn CD's at toddler level! It is not unusual to see very graphic pornographic books, magazines and films displayed all so proudly for everyone (including kids!) to see. Some kids gather around the stalls in order to get a good look at these unwholesome materials and most of these unscrupulous traders do not deem it fit to send them away, because they are hoping that the kids might use their allowance to purchase these materials.

Being exposed to pornography has affected so many kids (especially from humble backgrounds), many of them have been engaged in pre-marital sex which has led to unwanted pregnancies in so many teenage girls. Some kids have even resorted to raping their neighbour's daughters all because of the unwholesome images they have been exposed to (on their way from school).

Many poor people also live in single room apartments, where their kids get to watch their parents have sex every night or every other night. Cases of incest are common with siblings who watch their parents have sex.

Despite these negative exposures, some kids turn out well because of their own personal moral conviction and strong relationship with God.