More than 100 civil society organisations, health advocates and public-interest groups under the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community have rejected the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning that it could weaken existing safeguards and create opportunities for the tobacco and nicotine industry to expand its market.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the coalition called for the immediate withdrawal and comprehensive review of the consolidated bill.
The groups said they supported updating the 2015 National Tobacco Control Act and its 2019 Regulations to address emerging nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.
However, they objected to provisions they said could permit advertising, sponsorship, product sampling, online sales and wider distribution of non-combustible nicotine products.
The coalition, led by organisations including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, argued that the proposed inclusion of “tobacco harm reduction” objectives could weaken regulation and expose young people to addictive products.
They also opposed provisions defining heated tobacco products as non-combustible and potentially removing them from the definition of tobacco products, insisting that products containing tobacco should remain subject to strict regulation.
The groups further criticised proposed exemptions that could allow advertising on online platforms, adult publications and points of sale, as well as sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events.
They expressed concern that online sales and courier deliveries could make age verification difficult to enforce, while product sampling in retail outlets could encourage experimentation among non-users and young people.
The coalition also faulted proposed changes to health warnings, smaller cigar pack sizes and provisions that would allow manufacturers to prepare and approve their own safety dossiers.
Speaking at the briefing, the In-Country Coordinator of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Michael Olaniyan, described the bill as a potential setback to Nigeria’s tobacco-control efforts.
Olaniyan said “harm reduction” should not be used to justify policies that could introduce new users to nicotine products, particularly children and young people.
He also questioned the process through which the consolidated bill emerged, noting that proposals initially presented at a public hearing in 2024 had later resulted in a significantly expanded document.
Similarly, a representative of the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance, Olawale Makanjuola, said Nigeria needed stronger tobacco regulation because of the health and economic burden associated with smoking.
Makanjuola warned that weakening existing controls could undermine Nigeria’s leadership in tobacco control across Africa.
The Executive Director of New Thing International Foundation, Kenneth Anetor, also opposed product sampling and smaller pack sizes, arguing that they could increase curiosity and make tobacco and nicotine products more accessible to young people.
The coalition urged the National Assembly to withdraw the bill and conduct a transparent review involving all relevant stakeholders.
It also appealed to President Bola Tinubu not to assent to the legislation in its current form, stressing that protecting public health, particularly the wellbeing of children and young people, should take precedence over commercial interests.
ssource: Realvisionnews
