Nigeria’s tobacco control community has rejected the proposed National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, describing it as a threat to public health and a major setback in the country’s efforts to curb tobacco use.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, a coalition of 13 health and civil society organisations called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent if it reaches his desk.
The groups argued that the amendment weakens the existing 2015 Tobacco Control Act by easing restrictions on electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other non-combustible tobacco products.
They warned that the bill would reopen channels for tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, particularly through online platforms, adult publications and retail outlets, increasing young people’s exposure to tobacco products.
The coalition also faulted provisions allowing online sales, courier deliveries and product sampling, insisting Nigeria lacks the capacity to effectively enforce age verification and monitor digital tobacco marketing.
The organisations further expressed concern over provisions that reduce packaging and health warning requirements, weaken penalties for violations, and allow tobacco companies to classify product information as trade secrets, limiting public access to critical health information.
They questioned the legislative process leading to the bill, demanding the release of committee reports, stakeholder submissions and public hearing records, while calling on the Federal Ministry of Health, the Attorney-General of the Federation and other regulators to clarify their positions.
The coalition maintained that all tobacco and nicotine products should remain subject to a single, strict regulatory framework and urged health professionals, civil society, the media and development partners to oppose the amendment in the interest of protecting public health.