Civil society organisations, health advocates and public-interest groups have called for the immediate recall of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning that some provisions could weaken existing safeguards and increase young Nigerians’ exposure to addictive nicotine products.
The groups, operating under the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, raised the concerns on Monday in Abuja at an event organised to oppose the proposed amendment. The statement was read by the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi.
The coalition said it supports updating the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and its 2019 Regulations to address emerging products such as vapes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. However, it insisted that any amendment should strengthen public-health protections rather than create new opportunities for tobacco and nicotine companies.
The groups criticised provisions they said could permit advertising, promotion, sponsorship, sampling, retail display and online sales of non-combustible nicotine products. They particularly opposed proposed advertising in adult publications, at points of sale and on online platforms, as well as sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events.
They also questioned the proposed definition of an adult publication as one with at least 50 per cent adult readership, arguing that the threshold could still expose children to tobacco and nicotine advertising.
The coalition further opposed provisions allowing online sales, remote orders and courier delivery of nicotine products, saying age-verification measures could be bypassed. It also questioned regulators’ capacity to monitor online vendors, social media platforms, courier companies and delivery riders nationwide.
The groups rejected the proposed classification of heated tobacco products as non-combustible products, arguing that they still contain tobacco and nicotine. They also raised concerns about reduced health-warning requirements and a proposed provision allowing the minister to exempt certain products on undefined “public interest” grounds.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Tobacco Alliance, Olawale Makanjuola urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to intervene. He said the bill could undermine years of investment in tobacco control and public health.
The coalition also demanded the publication of committee reports, voting records and stakeholder submissions used in preparing the consolidated bill, noting that some provisions were not contained in earlier versions presented at a public hearing in November 2024.
While acknowledging provisions it considered positive, including extending smoke-free zones to within 30 metres of schools and health facilities, the groups urged the National Assembly to recall and transparently review the bill. They also called on the Federal Ministry of Health to clarify its position and urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent if the bill reaches him in its current form.
