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Tag: Tobacco

  • Expert: Nigeria can cut smoking harm by 95% with science-led strategy

    Expert: Nigeria can cut smoking harm by 95% with science-led strategy

    Public-health experts have called on Nigeria to adopt a science-driven, risk-proportionate tobacco harm reduction (THR) framework as part of its national health strategy, warning that the country cannot significantly reduce smoking-related diseases without providing adult smokers with safer, regulated alternatives.

    The call followed new findings from the World Health Organisation’s Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2023), which show that 3.7 per cent of Nigerian adults still smoke despite years of anti-tobacco campaigns. Health analyst and epidemiologist Dr. Yusuff Adebayo said Nigeria must strengthen its traditional tobacco-control measures but complement them with scientifically validated harm-reduction tools.

    In a recent commentary, Adebayo described THR as “a pragmatic, evidence-based tool that complements, not replaces, traditional tobacco control efforts,” stressing that offering safer options is crucial for adults who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking.

    “Decades of global tobacco-control efforts have shown one clear reality: a segment of adult smokers will continue to seek nicotine. The goal should be to encourage them toward less harmful, scientifically substantiated products,” he said.

    Citing a 2022 review by Public Health England, he noted that vaping is considered at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking because it eliminates combustion—the primary driver of tobacco-related conditions such as cancer, chronic lung disease, and heart illness.

    He also referenced several U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rulings authorising specific heated-tobacco and oral-nicotine products as Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTPs), meaning they expose users to significantly fewer toxicants than cigarettes. According to him, these decisions provide a scientific basis for Nigeria to develop its own risk-proportionate regulatory framework.

    Adebayo stressed the need for balanced policies that guide product standards, consumer safety, and industry conduct.

    He warned that excessive taxation or unclear rules could push smokers toward dangerous, unregulated products.

    “For THR to work in Nigeria, we need clear regulations, strong safety standards, transparent labelling, and fiscal policies that reflect relative risk. Non-combustible products should not be taxed at levels that discourage smokers from switching to safer options,” he said.

    He noted that harm reduction is already recognised in Article 1(d) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Japan, he added, have significantly reduced smoking rates by adopting risk-proportionate approaches that make low-risk products more accessible than cigarettes.

    Beyond regulation, Adebayo highlighted the importance of building public trust and improving scientific communication.

    He cited a 2024 study in the International Journal of Medical Students showing widespread uncertainty among Nigerian medical trainees about applying THR principles. He said this underscores the need for updated curricula, professional training, and access to balanced information.

    He also recommended the creation of independent advisory bodies and post-market surveillance systems to monitor product use, track unintended consequences, and ensure long-term public-health protections.

    Industry observers believe that a well-structured THR policy could also yield economic benefits by reducing the flow of illicit tobacco products, attracting compliant manufacturers, stimulating innovation in low-risk nicotine technologies, and lowering healthcare costs linked to smoking-related illnesses.

    “With the right mix of science, regulation, and public education, Nigeria can meaningfully reduce the health impacts of smoking while empowering adults with safer choices,” Adebayo said, adding that the country stands at a critical inflection point.

    He concluded that Nigeria now has an opportunity to embrace “a balanced, evidence-based pathway to better health outcomes.”

  • How tobacco corporations are reshaping Nigeria’s health policies

    How tobacco corporations are reshaping Nigeria’s health policies

    The battle for Nigeria’s public health is not being fought in noisy legislative chambers or on the streets where tobacco advertisements once loomed large. Instead, it is unfolding quietly—in conference rooms where meetings go unrecorded, in rural communities where boreholes bear the names of tobacco-funded foundations, and in the soft, persuasive language of corporate philanthropy. A new national assessment has now put numbers—and urgency—to this creeping crisis. The 2025 Nigeria Tobacco Industry Interference Index, released in Lagos by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), reveals that tobacco corporations have deepened their foothold in Nigeria’s policy landscape. The country’s interference score, which stood at 60 in 2023, has worsened to 62, firmly placing Nigeria among the more vulnerable nations in the global ranking at 54th out of 100 countries.

    The score may appear small, but its implications are not. It signals a public health environment where influence is not only present but maturing, evolving, and in many cases overpowering the safeguards meant to keep it at bay. For decades, the tobacco industry in Nigeria relied on mass advertising and political patronage to secure its interests. But as regulations grew tighter and public awareness expanded, the industry adjusted—mastering a softer, impossible-to-criticise strategy: philanthropy. The report highlights how the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has turned corporate social responsibility (CSR) into its most potent tool. Through scholarships, agricultural programmes, youth empowerment schemes, and borehole donations, BATNF inserts itself into governance spaces under the guise of development support.

    “These are strategic investments,” CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, warned. “Not investments in people, but investments in access—access to policymakers, government institutions, and future leverage.”

    The problem, however, is not the gifts themselves. It is the government’s willingness—even eagerness—to receive them. State commissioners, local government chairmen, and even governors continue to attend tobacco-linked events, offering praise that strengthens the industry’s legitimacy and weakens the boundaries meant to keep it away from policymaking. In one instance cited in the report, a state governor shared a stage with tobacco-linked organisations, smiling for photographs that later became promotional material. Such appearances, the Index warns, “signal complicity, not neutrality.”

    One of the most damaging outcomes of this influence was Nigeria’s 2023 suspension of tobacco excise taxes—a decision that reversed years of progress in line with WHO and ECOWAS standards. Taxes are globally recognised as the most effective tool for reducing tobacco consumption. By pausing tax increases, Nigeria effectively shielded tobacco companies from the economic pressure meant to curb sales. The report describes it as “a reversal that shifted the burden of tobacco harm from industry to citizens.”

    For a country where tobacco-related diseases claim more than 17,000 lives annually, the consequences are profound. One of the major revelations of the Index is how Nigeria’s regulatory environment has space for strong laws but not strong guardianship. Section 25 of the National Tobacco Control Act mandates full disclosure of every interaction between government officials and tobacco companies. Yet most agencies fail to comply. Meetings occur without documentation. Consultations are held without public awareness.

    CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, who led the research, described the situation bluntly: “The state legislates against tobacco influence but legitimises it through partnership and silence.” The problem is worsened by the lack of awareness among public officials. Few have undergone training on Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control—the global guideline that demands countries protect their policies from tobacco industry interference. Without training, officials cannot see the danger. And without seeing the danger, they cannot guard against it.

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    The report also highlights a new and rapidly expanding front: the rise of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches marketed as “harm reduction tools.” Tobacco companies are increasingly presenting themselves as partners in innovation, arguing for a place at the policymaking table. This, the Index warns, is a Trojan horse. “The tobacco industry cannot reinvent itself as a public health ally,” Oluwafemi said. “Its business is addiction—whether by smoke, by heat, or by liquid nicotine.” By participating in discussions on emerging products, companies gain the legitimacy they crave, even when evidence on safety remains inconclusive.

    The story is not entirely bleak. The report celebrates several hard-won victories. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)—after a landmark investigation—fined British American Tobacco Nigeria $110 million for anti-competitive practices, one of the largest penalties in Nigeria’s regulatory history. Likewise, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) banned the glamorisation of smoking in Nollywood films, a major win for public health advocates who had long warned about the influence of smoking imagery on young audiences. These victories prove that Nigerian institutions can act decisively. The challenge is ensuring that such actions are not isolated events but part of a consistent, nationwide commitment to public health.

    Perhaps the most deeply unsettling conclusion of the report is that the tobacco industry’s interference is not just a threat to public health—it is a threat to democratic integrity. When corporations with a record of deception and manipulation gain access to decision-making spaces, the balance of power tilts away from citizens and toward profit-driven actors. “What is at stake,” Oluwafemi argued, “is the independence of our public institutions. If policies meant to save lives can be shaped by corporations whose products kill, then our democracy is in danger.”

    The 2025 Index does not simply expose a problem; it forces Nigeria to confront a choice. The country can strengthen its resolve, enforce transparency, and rebuild the protective walls that the tobacco industry has quietly eroded. Or it can continue on its current trajectory—one where corporate proximity becomes policy direction. The findings from April 2023 to March 2025 are clear: tobacco interference is worsening, not retreating. The industry is smarter, more strategic, and far more entrenched than before. Nigeria must now decide whether it will reclaim its public health policies or surrender them, piece by piece, to the most harmful corporate actors in the world.

  • Tobacco control groups warn Nigerian delegation at COP11 against industry influence

    Tobacco control groups warn Nigerian delegation at COP11 against industry influence

    Civil society organisations working in tobacco control have issued a strong warning to Nigeria’s delegation attending the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland, urging them to resist all forms of pressure from the tobacco industry.

    In a joint statement issued on Sunday by Robert Egbe, media and communication officer, CAPPA, the groups expressed alarm over what they described as the industry’s renewed global push to infiltrate COP11 discussions through proxies advocating for the legitimisation of novel nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, under the banner of “harm reduction.”

    The organisations — including the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Gatefield, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), and the Centre for Youth Inclusion and Development — cautioned the Nigerian delegation against “selling out public health” to multinational tobacco corporations.

    They called on the delegates to reject all forms of industry-linked funding, partnerships, and influence, stressing that Nigerians are monitoring the process and will hold representatives accountable for any decisions that undermine public health or weaken tobacco control laws.

    The statement also reminded the delegation of Sections 25–28, 33–34, and 38(2) of the National Tobacco Control Act, which prohibit government officials from maintaining financial or non-financial relationships with the tobacco industry or its affiliates.

    Additionally, it emphasised Nigeria’s obligations under Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, which mandates Parties to safeguard health policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry.

    “We are aware that the tobacco industry and its front groups are working overtime to manipulate discussions at COP11 through delegates, pushing narratives that normalise nicotine addiction and weaken existing tobacco control measures,” the groups said. “Nigeria must not be complicit in this devious strategy.”

    Warning that tobacco kills more than seven million people annually, the CSOs accused the industry of attempting to lure a new generation into addiction through “shiny gadgets, false marketing, and manipulation of regulatory officials”.

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    They described novel nicotine products as nothing more than “new faces of the same deadly business”, dismissing them as traps designed to sustain corporate profits while undermining hard-won public health gains.

    According to them, the same companies responsible for decades of addiction and deaths are now attempting to “rebrand themselves as part of the solution”, a move they called “deception at its peak”.

    “Nigeria’s delegates must go to Geneva to defend life, not profit,” they insisted.

    The CSOs warned that industry interference remains the biggest obstacle to meaningful tobacco control globally, stating that permitting novel nicotine products would reverse national progress made under existing laws and policies.

    They urged the Nigerian delegation to stand with the global public health community, reject industry influence in all forms, and support stronger decisions aimed at achieving a tobacco-free future.

    COP11, holding from 17–22 November, will bring together Parties to the Convention to make decisions geared toward preventing nicotine addiction and safeguarding public health. The Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products will take place from 24–26 November.

  • Report canvasses more science-driven approach to tobacco control

    Report canvasses more science-driven approach to tobacco control

    A new report highlighting the benefits of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) is prompting renewed calls for Nigeria to adopt a more science-driven approach to tobacco control, as health experts warn that conventional strategies alone are not enough to curb tobacco-related deaths.

    According to the recently released Lives Saved Report: Nigeria & Kenya, countries that adopt harm reduction approaches—offering smokers access to less harmful nicotine products—could save thousands of lives. For Nigeria, which still grapples with pockets of tobacco use despite a steady decline in smoking rates, THR could become a critical tool in reducing the country’s tobacco-related disease burden.

    THR refers to a public health strategy that advocates switching from combustible tobacco products, like cigarettes, to less harmful alternatives such as nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products, and e-cigarettes. These alternatives eliminate the combustion process, which is responsible for releasing the vast majority of toxicants found in traditional cigarettes.

    “Traditional tobacco control efforts like taxation, advertising bans, and public smoking restrictions have been useful, but they fall short in addressing the fact that many smokers simply can’t quit. Tobacco Harm Reduction gives us another tool to help adult smokers transition away from deadly cigarettes,” said Yussuff Adebayo, the Global Director for Research and Thought Leadership at Global Health Focus, an organisation that seeks to build critical thinkers and leaders in global health towards achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

    Despite growing global evidence supporting THR, the concept remains poorly understood in Nigeria. Many policymakers and health authorities continue to rely exclusively on the World Health Organisation’s MPOWER framework, which—critics say—fails to prioritise harm reduction. Although the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) allows for harm reduction as a strategic approach, its exclusion from key global tools has stymied its uptake in countries like Nigeria.

    The Lives Saved Report argues that Nigeria must develop a risk-proportionate regulatory framework—one that clearly distinguishes between combustible cigarettes and non-combustible nicotine alternatives. Without such a framework, the country risks missing a crucial opportunity to offer adult smokers safer pathways while still enforcing strong anti-smoking policies.

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    The report also highlights the importance of public awareness. Currently, many Nigerians are either unaware of or misinformed about alternatives like nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. Misinformation, often fueled by fear-based campaigns, has left many believing these products are just as harmful—or worse—than cigarettes.

    In contrast, countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, and New Zealand have embraced THR policies, and have seen dramatic reductions in smoking prevalence and tobacco-related illness. Sweden, for instance, is on track to become the world’s first “smoke-free” country, thanks largely to widespread adoption of non-combustible nicotine products.

    The report urges Nigerian institutions—particularly universities, research centers, and public health bodies—to take the lead in generating local data on THR. It also calls for the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to include harm reduction in their tobacco control policies and frameworks.

    Beyond regulation and research, the report emphasises the need for collaboration. Health professionals, NGOs, and community influencers must work together to combat misinformation and promote informed decision-making among smokers seeking to quit.

    Nigeria’s economic reality further underscores the need for a balanced approach. Tobacco-related illnesses place a significant burden on the healthcare system, and THR could provide a cost-effective intervention. As the government continues to invest in universal health coverage, experts argue that THR could help reduce preventable hospital admissions and long-term treatment costs.

    The Nigerian government has yet to formally adopt THR policies. Still, there are early signs of interest. Some private health institutions and advocacy groups have begun organising workshops and stakeholder engagements to introduce THR concepts to the broader public.

    “Progress is slow, but there is momentum. We need to keep pushing for reforms based on science, not stigma,” Adebayo added.

    As global tobacco control evolves, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The evidence is clear: tobacco harm reduction can save lives. What remains to be seen is whether the country will seize the opportunity or let misinformation, regulatory inertia, and stigma hold back progress.

    “The time to act is now,” the Lives Saved Report concludes. “With bold leadership and smart policy, Nigeria can chart a new path toward a smoke-free future—one built on compassion, science, and common sense.”

  • Experts decry tobacco, nicotine products’ effects on environment, humans

    Experts decry tobacco, nicotine products’ effects on environment, humans

    Experts from different African countries have decried the effects of  tobacco,  and nicotine products on the environment, and human lives.

    The experts raised the concern during a webinar themed ‘Ubuntu, Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Tobacco Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products’ organised by Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Vital Voices for Africa (VVA), and Being Africa.

    The Founder and Executive  Director, Being Africa, Achieng Otieno, in his presentation said recent studies reveal that youth smoking rates are climbing at an alarming pace, posing serious health risks for future generations.

    “A comprehensive study covering 53 African countries found that 14.3% of adolescents aged 11-17 years reported using tobacco products. Approximately 60% of Africa’s population is under 25 years old, with a substantial proportion being adolescents aged 11-17 years.”

    He regretted that the rise in tobacco-related diseases is significantly straining health systems, leading to increased healthcare costs and challenges in treatment.

    Caleb Ayong of Vital Voices for Africa (VVA) noted that tobacco  hampers the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

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    “There are 17 targets adopted in 2015 by the United Nations Member States and they’re expected to be achieved by 2030.Tobacco would damage all Sustainable Development Goals.”

    Explaining how tobacco affects the first SDG goal which dwells on ending poverty in all its forms, Caleb said: “For people on low incomes, the daily purchase of maybe a pack of cigarettes per day has an immediate and immeasurable impact on their families and their standard of living. And in order to feed the addiction, these people have to give up on crucial expenditures such as food and housing and education to continue to buy these cigarettes. Now, take the case of illness and premature death caused by smoking, the consequences can be catastrophic, especially in countries where a large proportion of the population is not covered by health insurance and an expected medical bill. An expensive hospitalization is enough to plunge the entire family into poverty, especially in Africa, where health coverage or health insurance is not very, very effective. The links between tobacco and poverty are not only expressed at the individual level. Cigarette consumptions have also helped impoverished states, driving up health costs and reduced work productivity.”

    Prof. Catherine Egbe, of  the School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa, in her session  exposed the manipulative nature of tobacco industry.

    She said: “The industry, when scientists started getting a glimpse of what was happening with cigarettes and disease, they started doing PR.  So they employed a very highly placed PR agency or firm called Hill and Norton.  They designed what the industry should do in order to make people not believe what the scientists were saying about the addictiveness of their product, about the harmfulness of their product.  So one of the promises they made was that if they found that cigarettes were harmful, they were going to stop making cigarettes.

    So you can see several of their CEOs, their presidents at different times of the year saying that they would stop making cigarettes should they confirm that cigarettes were harmful.”

    The interesting thing, the don said, is that they already knew many years before the public even started getting a glimpse of it.  “So it’s also important to mention that the industry was not just using a naturally occurring product that is available for people to just put into a paper and smoke.

    They were also engineering the products to become more addictive.  They were tweaking the nicotine so that it would become more addictive.  And in their document in the 1960s, this one is 1963, they admitted that  nicotine was addictive and that they were selling an addictive drug.

    “Guess what happened in 1994 when they were summoned to the U.S. Congress to say, you are selling an addictive product and you never disclosed that these products were addictive or harmful.  They said they never knew that nicotine was addictive.

    They all raised their hand and swore that they believe nicotine is not addictive.

    Remember, this is 1994.  But in 1963, they already admitted.  And in 1997, even recently, they are still saying, oh, we will shut down our company.

    We’ll shut down our manufacturing if we know that the cigarette causes cancer.”

    Making presentation on “Dearth of Data,  Mohamed Maikudi of Development Gateway, said the key gaps “we have identified, include the comprehensive current data on tobacco usage among adolescents, especially in rural and marginalized communities. There’s also a limited understanding of newer tobacco products and their prevalence among young people, and we also lack detailed insights into behavioral, social, and environmental factors that drive tobacco initiation and sustained usage amongst youth.

    “Whether we’re good at the journey ahead requires sustained multi-sectoral collaboration, community engagement, and continued advocacy to ensure a tobacco-free future for our next generation.”

    Philip Jakpor, Executive Director, Renevlyn Development Initiative, called  for a meeting point between advocates and the media to ensure effective campaign against the damage being done by tobacco companies. 

    He said: “Advocates aim to increase public support for tobacco control policies by promoting health literacy, community engagement and serve as a bridge between the government and the people.

    “The media is a crucial source of health information that helps to frame discussions on tobacco-related issues for consumption of policymakers and the general public.”

    He listed the youths, parents, influencers, policy makers, faith-based groups/leaders, community-based groups, the academia, gender specific groups, global bodies, the undecided among others as people that communication efforts should target.

  • Tobacco-Induced Diseases in Africa: The Fire We’re Not Putting Out

    Tobacco-Induced Diseases in Africa: The Fire We’re Not Putting Out

    By Elvis Michael

    Let’s be real—when most people in Africa think of health problems, they think of malaria, typhoid, or maybe high blood pressure. What you don’t hear too often? Lung cancer. Emphysema. Smoking-related heart attacks. But here’s the thing—that’s changing, and fast.

    Tobacco use is creeping into the everyday lives of more and more Africans, and with it comes a wave of diseases that we’re not ready for. We’re talking about cancers, strokes, breathing problems, and heart conditions that are entirely preventable—but slowly becoming part of our future if we don’t act now.

    It used to be said that Africa was “protected” from the tobacco epidemic. That’s because, compared to Western countries, smoking rates were pretty low. Many people couldn’t afford cigarettes, traditional culture frowned upon smoking, and Big Tobacco companies hadn’t yet focused their attention on the continent.

    But today? The game has changed.

    From street corners in Lagos to music videos in Johannesburg, cigarettes and vapes are popping up everywhere. Tobacco ads—sometimes outright, sometimes subtle—are showing up in places where young people hang out. And in many neighborhoods, kids can still walk into a kiosk and buy a stick of cigarette without anyone batting an eyelid.

    The numbers are going up, and with them, so is the risk of tobacco-induced diseases that could devastate families, drain health systems, and cut lives short.

    To understand what’s going on, it helps to look at what happens to people from Africa who move abroad. Recent research by Dr. Nriagu, a Nigerian-born doctor currently based in the United States, has shed some light on this.

    Dr. Nriagu’s study looked at the differences in smoking between people born in the U.S. and those who were born in other countries—like Nigeria—but moved to the U.S. The results were eye-opening. When foreign-born people arrive in the U.S., they usually smoke a lot less than those born there. They’ve grown up in cultures where smoking isn’t as common, or as accepted, so they bring that attitude with them. But after spending a few years in the U.S., something starts to shift. They begin to adapt to their surroundings. And slowly, they start picking up habits—like smoking—that they didn’t have before.

    This process is called acculturation. The longer you live in a new place, the more likely you are to blend into that culture. And sometimes, you end up adopting the bad habits too.

    What Dr. Nriagu’s research shows us is that culture really matters when it comes to smoking. If you’re in an environment where tobacco is everywhere, where people light up like it’s nothing, and where no one talks about the risks—it’s easy to start thinking it’s normal. And once something becomes normal, it becomes a lot harder to fight.

    Now think about what that means for Africa. The same shift is already happening across the continent. Smoking is no longer just something “old men” do in the village. It’s becoming trendy. It’s showing up in Nollywood films. It’s on the Instagram pages of music stars. Young people are vaping in universities, and flavored tobacco is being sold in packs that look more like candy than a deadly drug.

    The tobacco industry knows exactly what it’s doing. With tighter regulations in Europe and America, they’re turning their attention to new markets—and Africa is right at the top of the list.

    If we’re not careful, we could be looking at a situation where smoking becomes as common here as it once was in the West. And worse still, we could see a surge in tobacco-related diseases that our health systems simply aren’t equipped to handle.

    Let’s talk about what’s at stake. Smoking is linked to a host of deadly and debilitating conditions—lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, mouth and throat cancers, and even complications with diabetes and tuberculosis. These aren’t distant issues anymore. The World Health Organization estimates that over 1.3 million people in Africa could die every year from tobacco-related illnesses by 2030 if nothing changes.

    Part of what makes us so vulnerable is that laws around tobacco control in many African countries are either too weak or not enforced. Nigeria, for instance, has signed international agreements like the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which is meant to protect populations from the harms of tobacco. But in practice, enforcement is spotty. Cigarettes remain cheap. Ads are everywhere. Schools rarely educate students about the dangers of smoking. There’s little support for people who want to quit. It’s a perfect storm.

    And the industry knows it. That’s why you’re seeing more investment in African markets. More subtle advertising. More products designed to appeal to young people. If the West has learned how dangerous tobacco is and started fighting back, the industry is just finding new ground to plant its roots.

    There’s still hope, though. If we act now, we can stop this wave before it fully crashes over us. Stronger laws are urgently needed—laws that increase tobacco taxes, ban all advertising, and prevent underage access. But laws alone won’t be enough. People need to be informed. We need widespread public education that makes it clear: smoking isn’t stylish or harmless—it’s deadly. Parents need to talk to their kids about the risks. Teachers need to bring these conversations into classrooms. Religious leaders and influencers can play a big role too, using their platforms to send a message that health matters.

    We also need to support the people who are already addicted. Quitting smoking isn’t easy, especially when it’s become part of someone’s coping mechanism for stress. But with the right support—whether that’s counseling, quitlines, or access to nicotine replacement therapy—people can and do quit every day.

    The youth must be at the heart of this fight. Right now, they are the biggest targets of the tobacco industry. Everything from flavored vapes to trendy packaging is designed to get young people hooked early. If we want to protect the future of the continent, we have to protect the young people who will shape it.

    Tobacco-induced diseases are like a fire slowly spreading through dry grass. We can see it. We know what’s coming. And if we don’t do something now, the fire will rage out of control. Dr. Nriagu’s research is more than just data—it’s a warning and a guide. What’s happening to African migrants abroad is starting to happen here too. If we let it continue, we’ll see a rise in illnesses and deaths that we could have prevented. But if we act now, with urgency and unity, we can turn the tide.

    We don’t need to wait for the statistics to catch up. The time to act is now.

    Michael writes from Abuja

  • Tobacco: Mothers, advocates demand tougher laws, stricter implementation on youth vaping

    Tobacco: Mothers, advocates demand tougher laws, stricter implementation on youth vaping

    Concerned parents and youth-focused anti-tobacco advocates have urged the Federal Government to take urgent action against the alarming rise in e-cigarette and flavoured vape use among teenagers in Nigeria. 

    Voices for Tobacco Control, an advocacy group, is calling for immediate restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and flavoured tobacco products to minors. 

    They are also demanding that relevant government agencies regulate the marketing and distribution of these products and enforce stricter penalties for those who sell them to underage users.

    The parents and advocates stressed that immediate government intervention is crucial following an earlier investigation that exposed how easily underage youths access tobacco products despite legal restrictions limiting sales to those aged 18 and above. 

    They warned that the growing addiction to tobacco, now attractively packaged in sweet, flavoured varieties, poses a serious threat not only to the health of young individuals but also to Nigeria’s long-term socioeconomic growth and development.

    Speaking at a hybrid press briefing on Tuesday on behalf of Voices for Tobacco Control, Kenneth Kenas Anetor, revealed that in response to the growing concerns, over 300 Nigerians have signed a petition titled ‘Keep Vapes Away from Nigerian Kids’ to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC),.

    Explaining that the petition is part of the World No Tobacco Day 2025 campaign, Anetor said the effort aims to spotlight the health risks associated with vapes and flavoured tobacco products while urging for stronger laws to shield Nigerian children from exposure. 

    The campaign, he said is raising serious alarm over the increasing availability and use of vapes, e-cigarettes, shisha, and similar products among Nigerian youth.

    According to Anetor, members of Voices for Tobacco Control, a community of concerned Nigerian tobacco control advocates, felt compelled to take action in response to the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, particularly among Nigerian children.

    He said: “Flavoured nicotine products, brightly packaged and sold in flavours like strawberry, mint and mango, are being marketed to appeal to the youth. 

    “Despite their sweet flavours and sleek designs, vapes and heated tobacco products are not safe. 

    “Studies have shown they expose users to harmful chemicals like nicotine and formaldehyde, increasing the risks of lung and heart disease.  

    “The growing availability of e-cigarettes and flavoured tobacco products, in addition to traditional cigarettes, has sparked concern among parents. 

    “Research indicates that 5 million Nigerian youth are addicted to smoking, with 25,000 youth smoking each day, including children as young as 10 to 14 years old”. 

    Speaking during the briefing, Nimat Labaika, President of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Kwara State Chapter stressed the need for urgent action against the scourge, saying, “Tobacco companies want to remain in business and they are doing everything to remain in business, including selling tobacco products to children. 

    “For us not to lose our future leaders, we have to collectively lend our voices and call on FCCPC to introduce guidelines to stop the sale to children.” 

    On her part, Mrs. Fumi Oseigbu, Founder of Bundies Care Initiative, emphasized that the FCCPC must be held accountable. 

    “I believe that the FCCPC should be sanctioned to do their jobs to protect our children and enforce regulations against tobacco companies.

    “We need them to not just draft policies but also enforce them. We can’t afford to let our children fall prey to addiction while regulatory agencies sit on their hands,” she stressed.

    The advocates also lamented the absence of comprehensive legislation in Nigeria regulating the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes and flavoured tobacco. 

    “Without urgent action, the public health crisis among young people is set to deepen, they said. 

    As a matter concerning the protection of children and consumer protection, advocates called for the FCCPC to issue clear guidelines that can inform regulations restricting vape and e-cigarette sales to minors, or else, be sanctioned for not doing its job. 

    In addition to the FCCPC, the advocates called for the involvement of several other key government bodies, including the Federal and State Ministries of Health, the National Environmental Protection Board, and the National Assembly. 

    The institutions, they said, must play a coordinated role in establishing smoke-free public spaces, regulating tobacco sales, and passing laws with measurable impact.

    “It’s not just one agency’s job, it’s a national responsibility but FCCPC must lead the charge when it comes to consumer protection,” they said.

    The advocates emphasized that the nation has the capacity to overcome the tobacco crisis if existing laws and policies are fully and firmly enforced, stating that doing so would protect future generations from preventable and unnecessary harm.

  • ‘Increase budget allocation for tobacco control’

    ‘Increase budget allocation for tobacco control’

    As the National Assembly continues its review of the N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill presented by President Bola Tinubu on December 18, 2024, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Senate and House of Representatives to raise the budgetary allocation for Tobacco Control in the 2025 National Budget from the current N10 million to N300 million.

    CAPPA, in separate petitions to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, argued that allocating a minimum of N300m is essential to address the multifaceted challenges posed by tobacco use and support the effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015.

    Highlighting the danger of tobacco consumption and the stakes at hand, , CAPPA’s Executive Director,  Akinbode Oluwafemi stated that tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, including in Nigeria.

    “Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. Annually, tobacco-related illnesses claim 26,800 Nigerian lives and inflict debilitating conditions and non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory diseases on thousands more.

     The economic toll is immense, costing billions in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. Additionally, tobacco cultivation exacerbates deforestation and soil degradation, while cigarette waste pollutes the environment,” Oluwafemi said.

    The challenge, he noted, is further compounded by the emergence of unregulated tobacco and nicotine products that target younger demographics and exploit gaps in the regulatory framework.

    Akinbode added: “These products, including electronic cigarettes and novel smokeless tobacco, are marketed as trendy despite their health risks. Moreover, tobacco companies in Nigeria continue to exploit weak monitoring systems to market their offerings aggressively on social media, as well as utilise corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to gain favour with public health authorities, thereby undermining tobacco control laws and enticing more users into tobacco consumption.

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    “To counteract these threats, it is imperative that the Nigerian government intensify its efforts in regulation and control, recognising the grave public health and economic impacts of tobacco use. To be clear, the Federal Government must respond with proportional investment in the TCF for the effective regulation of tobacco consumption.”

    CAPPA said while the 2024 budget commendably increased allocation to the TCF to N10 million from N4.7 million directed to it in 2023, it remains insufficient for several critical reasons.

    Oluwafemi said: “Firstly, operational costs consume a large portion of the funds. The National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC) requires substantial finance running in millions for the coordination of its meetings, which should occur at least four times annually as stipulated by the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA). The current allocation to the TCF, which provides support for these meetings, remains poor and, therefore, leaves virtually no financial room for this activity or other essential responsibilities of the NATOCC.

    “Secondly, effective sensitisation campaigns need robust media outreach, deep community engagement, and active coordination with various stakeholders across the country. These activities require substantial funding to reach a wide audience and create impactful messages.

    “Thirdly, there is a pressing need for alternative cropping initiatives to support tobacco farmers transitioning to sustainable crops. This shift involves continuous investment in training programs, provision of quality seedlings, and adequate financial support to ensure that these farmers can move to more sustainable and health-friendly agricultural practices.

    “Furthermore, enforcement and monitoring activities are crucial to combat industry interference and ensure compliance with tobacco control regulations. This includes prosecuting violations, safeguarding smoke-free spaces and ensuring a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, amongst other efforts. Adequate funding is also essential to equip and train enforcement teams on the front lines of this battle, ensuring that regulations are not only in place but actively upheld.”

    To this end, CAPPA made two requests of the upper and lower chambers. The first is to “increase the tobacco control allocation to a minimum of N300m in the 2025 budget and ensure subsequent increments in future budgets.”

    The CSO reasoned that this would allow the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC) and Tobacco Control Unit (TCU) domiciled within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to convene mandated meetings and implement robust public health campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of tobacco use, fund research initiatives to monitor trends in tobacco consumption and evaluate policy impacts, enhance enforcement efforts, including monitoring compliance with existing laws and prosecuting violations and support alternative livelihood programs for tobacco farmers, ensuring that they transition sustainably to other crops.

    Secondly, CAPPA called for the full operationalisation of the National Tobacco Control Fund.

    The Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) was established under Section 8 of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), 2015, as part of a comprehensive framework to combat the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. The fund is drawn from various sources, including appropriations from the national budget, proceeds of fines for violations of tobacco laws, and contributions from relevant development bodies for tobacco control.

    Explaining the TCF’s importance, Oluwafemi added: “By establishing the TCF, the federal government recognised the enormous public health risks posed by tobacco and the role of adequate financial resources to combat them. In fact, the TCF is intended to support vital activities such as public health campaigns, regulatory enforcement of the NTCA, research on tobacco trends, and alternative livelihood programs for tobacco farmers.

    “However, since its creation, the Fund has yet to achieve full operationalisation, leaving Nigerians vulnerable to the unchecked dangers of tobacco consumption and marketing.

    “By fully operationalising the TCF, ensuring transparent and accountable fund management, and bolstering the institutional capacity of relevant public health authorities to exercise their mandate, the National Assembly will be leading the charge in safeguarding public health, reducing economic burdens, and protecting the environment from the devastating impacts of tobacco.”

  • Tobacco consumption boost Africa’s GDP, tax revenue

    Tobacco consumption boost Africa’s GDP, tax revenue

    The 2023 African Tax Outlook (ATO) has revealed a notable recovery in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and tax revenue performance across the continent in 2022 as a result of tobacco consumption

    According to the report, average nominal GDP growth improved to 13.13 per cent in 2022, up from 11.15 per cent in 2021, surpassing the long-term average.

    Revenue collections also saw significant growth, increasing by 20.95 per cent in 2022, compared to 16.34 per cent in 2021. Additionally, the average tax-to-GDP ratio rose to 15.43 per cent in 2022, with 69 per cent of countries recording an increase from the previous year.

    The ATO, released by the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), noted the crucial role of the younger population in driving this increase. It also underscored the need for effective tobacco taxation mechanisms.

    Despite Africa having the lowest smoking prevalence compared to other World Health Organisation regions, the number of tobacco smokers is projected to rise from 52 million in 2000 to 84 million in 2025.

    “The younger population in Africa significantly contributes to this increase, underscoring the need for effective tobacco taxation mechanisms,” noted the ATO report.

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    The ATO presents tax revenue and administration data from 36 participating African countries and offers a comprehensive analysis of the tobacco tax landscape across the continent. It highlights the critical role of tobacco taxes in broadening the tax base and fostering sustainable domestic revenue mobilisation.

    Regionally, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recorded the highest average tax-to-GDP ratio at 17.49 per cent, followed by the East African Community (EAC) at 14.20 percent . The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) recorded ratios of 13.83 per cent and 12.18 per cent, respectively.

    Mr. Logan Wort, Executive Secretary of ATAF, urged decision-makers to leverage the insights from the ATO to implement reforms in tax administration and policy. “By doing so, we can broaden the tax base, narrow tax gaps, simplify and improve fairness in tax systems, and enhance overall voluntary compliance,” he stated.

  • Tobacco: WHO issues first guidelines to help 750 million smokers quit

    Tobacco: WHO issues first guidelines to help 750 million smokers quit

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive guideline on tobacco cessation, offering a detailed set of interventions.

    The interventions include behavioural support from healthcare providers, digital cessation tools, and pharmacological treatments.

    The guideline released on Wednesday, July 3, is aimed at assisting more than 750 million tobacco users who wish to quit all forms of tobacco.

    WHO’s recommendations cover all adults seeking to quit various tobacco products, such as cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and Heated Tobacco Products.

    WHO director-general, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, emphasised the guideline’s importance, stating it provides essential tools for countries to support individuals in quitting tobacco and reducing tobacco-related diseases.

    “This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products. It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases,” Ghebreyesus said.

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    Despite over 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users wanting to quit, 70% lack access to effective cessation services due to health system challenges and resource limitations.

    Director of Health Promotion at WHO, Dr. Rüdiger Krech acknowledged the significant struggle individuals face when quitting and highlighted the guideline’s role in offering the best support for those attempting to overcome tobacco addiction.

    The WHO noted that combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions enhances quitting success rates. Countries are encouraged to make these treatments accessible, especially in low- and middle-income regions.

    Effective pharmacological treatments include varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine.

    In 2023, WHO began a prequalification process for tobacco cessation medications to improve global access. By April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified NRT product.

    Behavioural interventions recommended by WHO include brief health worker counselling (30 seconds to three minutes) in healthcare settings and more intensive support (individual, group, or phone counselling) for those interested.

    Digital tools like text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programs are also recommended as additional support.

    WHO urged healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders to adopt and implement these guidelines to promote tobacco cessation and improve global health.