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Africa Centre Warns National Assembly Against Weakening Tobacco Control Law
By Prince Benson Davies
The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research has called on the National Assembly to reconsider proposed amendments to Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act 2015, warning that the changes could erode gains made in tobacco control and expose young Nigerians to new nicotine products.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 9, 2026, and obtained by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, ATIM aligned with the Nigerian tobacco control community in rejecting the proposed amendments. The Centre said the inclusion of “Tobacco Harm Reduction” provisions and separate regulations for so-called non-combustible products creates loopholes that the tobacco industry can exploit to market addictive products to Nigerians.
According to ATIM, the amendment process began as an effort to strengthen implementation of the 2015 Act and address gaps relating to emerging tobacco and nicotine products. However, the harmonised Bill later considered by the House of Representatives introduced new language on harm reduction and created distinct provisions for electronic nicotine products, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. The Centre said this shift requires more transparency and wider public scrutiny.
ATIM described tobacco harm reduction as an industry strategy used to promote nicotine products such as vapes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and smokeless pouches under the claim that they help smokers quit. The Centre argued that embedding such a contested commercial concept in law would undermine Nigeria’s public health objectives.
The organisation noted that adult smoking prevalence in Nigeria is currently estimated at between 5 and 6 percent, a significant decline compared to previous years. It said this progress reflects the impact of existing control measures and Nigeria’s commitments under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Rather than introduce provisions that could reverse the trend, ATIM urged government to focus on proven strategies including comprehensive smoke-free policies, higher tobacco taxes, stronger health warnings, bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, better cessation support, and action against illicit trade.
The Centre also raised concerns about the potential impact of new nicotine products on young people. It stated that e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches could create a new pathway to addiction for youth if allowed wider promotion and access.
ATIM further called for clarity on how provisions relating to harm reduction and non-combustible products were included in the harmonised Bill. While it did not assert that the tobacco industry drafted the clauses, it said the source of the provisions should be disclosed given the commercial interests involved. The Centre asked the National Assembly to publish details of stakeholders who proposed the clauses, submissions received during the legislative process, meetings held with industry representatives or their proxies, and the evidence used to justify a separate regulatory framework.
The organisation cited Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, which requires governments to protect public health policies from tobacco industry interference. It said transparency is critical to upholding that obligation.
ATIM also urged tobacco control groups, researchers, health professionals and civil society across Africa to monitor developments in Nigeria closely. It warned that legislation passed in Nigeria could influence policy direction in other African countries.
The Centre concluded that any amendment to the Tobacco Control Act must strengthen public health protections and remain consistent with Nigeria’s obligations under the WHO FCTC. It said the goal should be to accelerate progress toward a smoke-free generation, not to create new avenues for nicotine addiction.
Last Thursday, CAPPA, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, Gatefield Impact, the Nigerian Cancer Society, the Association of Resident Doctors Abuja and other members of the Nigerian Tobacco Control Community issued a similar call. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Bill and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent if it is presented for approval.
