By Asuquo Cletus
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance has urged the National Assembly to halt further consideration and transmission of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The group said some of its provisions could weaken Nigeria’s tobacco control framework and expose young people to tobacco and nicotine products.
The alliance made the demand in a petition to the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for the consolidated Bill to be recalled for a transparent, evidence-based and public health-led review.
The NTCA expressed particular concern over the proposed introduction of “tobacco harm reduction objectives” and the inclusion of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, heated tobacco products and tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches under the non-combustible products framework.
It also opposed a provision that would permit vaping for product sampling at points of sale.
The alliance warned that such a provision could “facilitate the wider promotion, normalisation and uptake of emerging nicotine products, particularly among young people.”
The group further raised concerns about proposed advertising and promotion provisions which, according to it, would permit the advertising and promotion of non-combustible products in adult publications, through point-of-sale promotional materials and online adult advertising.
It also objected to the proposed sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events directed at people aged 18 years and above.
The alliance questioned whether the provisions would adequately protect children and young people from exposure to tobacco and nicotine marketing.
On the proposed definition of an “adult publication,” which is based on a 50 per cent threshold of adult readership, the NTCA said the measure might not sufficiently protect minors.
It said the threshold “may be inadequate to prevent children and young people from being exposed to tobacco and nicotine marketing,” particularly where publications or digital platforms still have substantial underage audiences.
The alliance also expressed concern over provisions that would create avenues for online and remote sales of non-combustible products through mail, shipping and courier services.
While recognising age verification as an important safeguard, the group said the Bill did not adequately address “the risks of circumvention, third-party vendors, the reliability of online age-verification systems, or regulators’ practical capacity to monitor and enforce compliance across online vendors and delivery channels.”
According to the alliance, these gaps could make it easier for minors to access regulated tobacco and nicotine products.
The group also raised concerns about proposed changes to enforcement penalties, saying the consolidated Bill appeared to delete specified penalty provisions in Section 16 of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015.
The NTCA said this raised “doubts about the strength and enforceability of the regulatory framework.”
It further faulted proposed changes to health warnings, including reduced warning requirements for new and emerging products and exemptions for electronic cigarettes and heating devices from carrying health warnings.
The alliance also opposed the proposed limitation of text warnings on nicotine pouch packaging to no more than 10 per cent of the front of the package.
It argued that the changes “could reduce the visibility and effectiveness of health warnings at the point of decision-making for tobacco and nicotine products.”
The tobacco-control group called for the consolidated Bill to be recalled and subjected to a fresh review involving relevant public health institutions, technical experts, civil society organisations and other affected stakeholders.
It said the review should focus on protecting children and young people, preventing nicotine initiation and dependence, ensuring that proposed controls could be effectively enforced and maintaining Nigeria’s public health obligations.
The NTCA urged the National Assembly to halt transmission of the Bill to the President pending the review.
It also demanded that lawmakers publish all relevant committee reports, voting records and stakeholder submissions that informed the development of the consolidated Bill.
The alliance further called for consultation with public health institutions, civil society organisations and other affected stakeholders before any further legislative action.
The NTCA said, “The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance therefore called for the immediate recall of the consolidated Bill and a fresh review that prioritises the health and welfare of Nigerians, particularly children and young people.”
