Nigeria Needs Tougher Tobacco Measures, Says CAPPA.

Nigeria Needs Tougher Tobacco Measures, Says CAPPA.

By prince Benson Davies

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) is calling on Nigeria’s Federal Government to urgently increase excise tax on tobacco products to 100%. This move could save thousands of lives and slash healthcare costs and productivity losses by at least ₦526 billion annually.

CAPPA warns that tobacco companies are aggressively targeting Nigerians, especially youths, with products like vapes and e-cigarettes despite tobacco’s link to serious diseases like lung cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. In Nigeria:
– Tobacco Consumption: Over 20 billion cigarette sticks consumed annually (2018).
– Death Toll: Almost 30,000 deaths yearly from tobacco-related diseases.
– Healthcare Costs: ₦526.4 billion spent treating tobacco-related diseases in 2019.

Key Recommendations by CAPPA
– Tax Increase: Boost tobacco tax to 100% to discourage use and save on healthcare.
– Revenue Allocation: Ring-fence part of revenue for health promotion and non-communicable diseases prevention.
– Tobacco Control: Resist tobacco industry interference in life-saving policies.

CAPPA cites examples of African countries taking tough stances against tobacco: Senegal raised tobacco taxes to 100%, Kenya banned imports of tobacco and nicotine products, and South Africa proposed tighter tobacco controls.

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