Nigerian civil society groups warn proposed tobacco bill could expose youth to nicotine

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, represented by Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa CAPPA, stated that the bill could create new avenues for advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and online sales of emerging products like vapes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. While supporting updates to the 2015 Act and 2019 Regulations, the coalition insists that any amendment must strengthen public health protections. Concerns include allowing advertising of non-combustible products in adult publications and online, as well as sponsorship of events, arguing that the proposed definition of an adult publication could still expose children.

They also oppose online sales and remote orders due to potential circumvention of age verification and regulatory monitoring challenges. The groups reject the classification of heated tobacco products as non-combustible, asserting their continued toxicity and addictiveness, and are concerned about reduced health-warning requirements and a provision allowing the Minister to grant exemptions based on undefined “public interest.” Olawale Makanjuola, speaking for the Nigeria Tobacco Alliance, u