The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) has urged the National Assembly to reconsider proposed amendments to Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act 2015, warning that the changes could undermine the country’s progress in tobacco control.
ATIM, in a statement issued on Sunday, August 9, 2026, opposed the proposed inclusion of “Tobacco Harm Reduction” provisions in the amended legislation, arguing that the move could create regulatory loopholes for tobacco and nicotine companies, particularly in the marketing of emerging products to young people.
The organisation said Nigeria should strengthen existing tobacco control measures rather than introduce policies that could expose the population to new forms of nicotine addiction.
ATIM noted that the amendment process was initially intended to strengthen implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act, address identified gaps and regulate emerging tobacco and nicotine products.
However, it expressed concern that the harmonised Bill considered by the House of Representatives introduced “Tobacco Harm Reduction” as one of its objectives and included separate provisions covering non-combustible products such as electronic nicotine products and nicotine pouches.
According to ATIM, the development warrants greater transparency and public scrutiny, particularly because of the growing commercial interest of multinational tobacco companies in new nicotine products.
The group said Nigeria’s adult smoking prevalence is currently estimated at between five and six per cent, describing the decline as significant progress that should not be reversed.
It therefore called for greater emphasis on evidence-based tobacco control measures, including smoke-free environments, stronger tobacco taxation, prominent health warnings, restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, improved cessation services, measures against illicit tobacco trade and stronger implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
ATIM also warned that emerging nicotine products could provide a new route to nicotine addiction, particularly among young people.
The organisation said while evidence-based cessation and risk-reduction interventions could be considered where independently proven to improve public health, “Tobacco Harm Reduction” should not be entrenched as a statutory objective while its scientific and commercial implications remain contested.
It further called on the National Assembly to disclose how provisions relating to tobacco harm reduction and non-combustible products were introduced into the harmonised Bill.
Although ATIM said it had not established that the tobacco industry drafted or influenced the insertion of the provisions, it stressed the need for lawmakers to publicly explain their origin.
The organisation demanded disclosure of stakeholders who proposed the provisions, submissions received during the legislative process, meetings held with tobacco and nicotine industry representatives, and the evidence used to develop the proposed regulatory framework.
It said such disclosure was necessary to comply with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, which requires governments to protect tobacco control policies from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.
ATIM also called on tobacco control organisations, researchers, professional bodies and public health advocates across Africa to monitor the legislative process in Nigeria, noting that the outcome could influence tobacco control policies across the continent.
The organisation urged the National Assembly to ensure that any amendment to the Tobacco Control Act strengthens Nigeria’s public health safeguards and remains consistent with the WHO FCTC.
The call comes days after the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, Gatefield Impact, Nigerian Cancer Society, Association of Resident Doctors, Abuja, and other tobacco control stakeholders demanded the withdrawal of the Bill.
The groups also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent if the legislation is eventually presented to him for executive approval.