Nigerian Youths at Risk as New Tobacco Bill Sparks Controversy

A coalition of civil society organisations, health advocates, and public-interest groups has sounded the alarm over the proposed National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning that it could expose young Nigerians to the dangers of nicotine addiction. The groups, operating under the umbrella of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, contend that the bill's provisions could inadvertently create new avenues for the advertising, promotion, and sale of emerging nicotine products, including vapes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. This, they argue, would undermine existing public health safeguards and put the well-being of Nigerian youths at risk. The Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Akinbode Oluwafemi, read a statement on behalf of the coalition, emphasizing their support for updating the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and its 2019 Regulations to address the emergence of new nicotine products. However, they insist that any amendments must strengthen, rather than weaken, public health protections. The coalition's concerns are centered around proposed changes that would permit the advertising of non-combustible products in adult publications, at points of sale, and on online platforms, as well as the sponsorship of cultural, social, and recreational events. They argue that the proposed definition of an adult publication, which requires at least 50 percent adult readership, is still too lax and could expose a significant number of children to tobacco and nicotine advertising. Furthermore, the coalition opposes provisions that would allow online sales, remote orders, and courier delivery of non-combustible nicotine products, citing the potential for age-verification systems to be circumvented. They also question the capacity of regulators to effectively monitor online vendors, social media platforms, courier companies, and delivery riders across the country. The groups reject the proposed classification of heated tobacco products as non-combustible products, arguing that these products still contain tobacco and nicotine, and that heating them does not remove their toxicity or addictiveness. Another point of contention is the proposed reduction in health-warning requirements for some novel nicotine products, which the groups believe would undermine public awareness of the risks associated with these products. The coalition also opposes a provision that would grant the Minister the discretion to exempt certain non-combustible products from provisions of the law on undefined 'public interest' grounds, warning that this could create opportunities for lobbying and regulatory capture. Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Tobacco Alliance, Olawale Makanjuola urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to intervene and prevent the proposed amendment from becoming law in its current form. Makanjuola argued that the bill is inconsistent with public health objectives and could undermine years of investment in tobacco control. The coalition has demanded the publication of committee reports, voting records, and stakeholder submissions relating to the development of the consolidated bill, and has called on the National Assembly to recall the bill and subject it to a transparent review centered on public health. They have also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to clarify its position and called on President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent if the bill reaches his desk in its present form.