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Nigeria Tobacco Control Community Alleges Weakening of 2015 Law in New Amendment Bill
By Prince Benson Davies
Publisher, The New Experience Newspaper
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has formally asked the National Assembly to release all records relating to the National Tobacco Control Act Amendment Bill, 2025. The request was submitted through a Freedom of Information application dated August 13 and delivered to the Clerk of the Senate.
The move follows growing concern among public health organisations that the current version of the Bill contains provisions capable of diluting safeguards established under the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015. The Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, a coalition of more than 100 civil society groups and health advocates, had earlier rejected the amendments and asked lawmakers to withdraw the Bill for further review.
In its letter, CAPPA stated that access to the legislative records is necessary to trace how the Bill evolved, to ensure openness in the lawmaking process, and to understand how certain clauses now in the consolidated draft found their way into the document. The organisation noted that transparency is critical because the proposed changes touch directly on public health and the protection of Nigerians, especially young people, from tobacco and nicotine exposure.
The FOI request seeks certified copies of Votes and Proceedings from both the Senate and the House of Representatives covering every stage of the Bill. This includes first reading, second reading, committee referral, consideration of committee reports, third reading and final passage. CAPPA also requested the specific dates for each stage, the names and constituencies of sponsors and co-sponsors, records of divisions or recorded votes, committee reports, details of public hearings, and copies of stakeholder submissions received during the process.
The organisation further asked for clarification on the current status of the Bill, including whether it has been forwarded for presidential assent. In making the request, CAPPA cited Sections 1(1), 2(3)(f) and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and asked that the information be provided within the seven days stipulated by law. It indicated willingness to receive the documents electronically or as certified hard copies.
The concerns were first made public at a press briefing in Abuja on August 9. At that event, members of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community warned that the consolidated Bill could create loopholes for tobacco and nicotine companies and roll back progress made under the 2015 Act.
Areas of concern highlighted by the coalition include proposed rules on non-combustible nicotine products, advertising, online sales, point-of-sale promotions, product sampling, packaging requirements, and penalties for violations. The groups argued that some of these provisions were not part of the version presented at the public hearing held on November 22, 2024, and they are asking how those clauses were introduced later.
According to CAPPA, the request is in the public interest and is aimed at promoting accountability in the legislative process. The coalition is also seeking to know which institutions reviewed the controversial provisions and who introduced them during the drafting and consolidation stages.
The health advocates maintain that any update to tobacco control laws should strengthen protections against tobacco-related illnesses and nicotine addiction, not weaken them. They expressed particular worry over clauses that could allow promotion of non-combustible products through adult magazines, retail displays, online platforms, and sponsorship of social and cultural events. Other issues raised include regulation of online sales, product sampling, and how heated tobacco products are classified.
Given Nigeria’s large youth population and the wide reach of digital media, the coalition argued that exemptions described as adult-only could still expose minors to marketing and promotion.
As a result, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community is calling on the National Assembly to recall the consolidated Bill and subject it to a fresh, open review that is guided by public health evidence and stakeholder input.
