Groups urge Tinubu to withhold assent to tobacco bill
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), ICODASO and Cedars Refuge Foundation have urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The organisations made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen Wednesday in Lagos.
The statement was signed by the representative of the group: Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, Okeke Anya, Executive Director of ICODASO, and Peter Unekwu, Executive Director of Cedars Refuge Foundation.
The said that the proposed amendments could reverse Nigeria’s tobacco-control gains since the enactment of the NTC Act in 2015.
They noted that Nigeria’s journey towards domesticating the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) lasted about 10 years.
According to them, the existing NTC Act and Regulations largely conform with global tobacco-control standards, particularly on health warnings, smoke-free public places and advertising restrictions.
They also cited restrictions on the sale of tobacco products to children as an important safeguard contained in the existing framework.
The organisations described the proposed amendments as a “rude shock”, expressing concern that some provisions could weaken safeguards protecting Nigerians from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
They said Nigeria’s tobacco-control framework had received international recognition for its implementation and enforcement of important public-health measures.
The groups cited the recent WHO Director-General’s Special Award for the African Region presented to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
They said the award recognised Nigeria’s regulation of tobacco and nicotine product depictions in movies, music videos and skits.
The organisations expressed concern over provisions they said would relax restrictions on tobacco and nicotine advertising and promotion.
They said the proposed amendments could permit online marketing, point-of-sale displays, remote sales and event sponsorships for non-combustible and alternative nicotine products.
According to them, such provisions could expose young Nigerians to nicotine products and increase the risk of addiction.
The groups also criticised what they described as the reclassification of “harm reduction” provisions in the proposed amendment.
They argued that removing nicotine pouches, vapes and e-cigarettes from principal tobacco definitions could create regulatory loopholes.
The organisations said such loopholes could undermine existing public-health protections and make it easier for young people to access nicotine products.
They urged the president to consider emerging evidence concerning non-combustible nicotine products and their potential impact on young people.
According to them, such products could encourage nicotine dependence and undermine efforts to prevent tobacco-related addiction.
The groups maintained that public-health considerations should take precedence over commercial interests in reviewing Nigeria’s tobacco-control framework.
They therefore urged Tinubu not to assent to the Bill in its present form.
Instead, they called on the President to encourage the National Assembly to subject the proposed amendments to comprehensive and genuine public scrutiny.
The organisations said there was an urgent need to listen to Nigerians concerned about the possible weakening of tobacco-control provisions.
They warned that weakened regulations could adversely affect communities and expose the national economy to increased health and social costs.
The groups said increased tobacco and nicotine consumption could contribute to preventable deaths and place additional pressure on families and healthcare systems.
