Key Takeaways
- The NTCA requests a review of the National Tobacco Control Act Amendment Bill 2025.
- Concerns highlighted include potential weakening of existing tobacco control measures.
- The coalition insists on maintaining strict regulations on advertising and sales.
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has intensified its call for the National Assembly to reconsider the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025. The group demands a transparent, public health-focused review of the bill before it is presented for presidential approval. This appeal was made by Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), during a press conference in Abuja. He represented a coalition of over 100 civil society organizations and public health advocates under the NTCA.
The coalition’s statement expressed that if the bill reaches President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he must reject it, as its provisions could undermine existing measures aimed at controlling tobacco use and potentially expand the market for tobacco and nicotine companies. The coalition's comprehensive analysis of the proposed bill revealed several alarming changes concerning advertising, sponsorship, product sampling, retail displays, online sales, packaging, and regulations of non-combustible nicotine products.
Michael Olaniyan, the In-country Coordinator for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, highlighted that the bill would permit types of advertising through "adult publications," point-of-sale materials, and on online platforms. Moreover, it would allow sponsorship of cultural and recreational events that often attract children. Importantly, the coalition raised an issue with how “adult publications” are defined in the proposed amendment—essentially allowing publications with a readership that is 50 percent adults to be classified as such. This could endanger minors by exposing them to advertising targeted at adults.
The very definition draws concern, as it suggests that advertising aimed at adults could still reach a significant number of children. In a digital age, where promotions can spread rapidly through social media and other platforms, this raises significant public health alarms regarding accessibility to tobacco and nicotine products for young individuals.
The coalition further voiced concerns about allowing online sales and remote orders for non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products. Given that Nigeria currently lacks adequate technology to verify the age of users accurately, such provisions could exacerbate existing challenges in protecting youth from tobacco addiction.
Moreover, the coalition stressed that tobacco control policies should prioritize public health and shield future generations from the harms of addiction and avoidable diseases. In his remarks, Olawale Makanjuola, the Alliance Coordinator of the NTCA, pointed to alarming provisions that would eliminate specific penalties for offenses like selling tobacco to minors and non-compliance with packaging requirements. The removal of these penalties could result in "legal confusion" that would advantage violators.
The NTCA has called for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to clarify its position on the amendment and urge its recall unless substantial consultation with relevant public health stakeholders is conducted.
Furthermore, the coalition demands that all committee reports and stakeholder submissions related to the amendment bill be made public to ensure transparency in this critical matter.
Why This Matters
The growing voices against the National Tobacco Control Act Amendment Bill 2025 highlight the ongoing struggle in Nigeria to balance public health interests with commercial interests in the tobacco industry. As the debate unfolds, the implications for public health policy and youth protections remain paramount.