20 Years of Tobacco Control: CAPPA Calls For Stronger Enforcement In Nigeria
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Two decades after the adoption of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the fight against tobacco-related deaths remains far from over.
As the world marked the treaty’s 20th anniversary, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) is urging the Nigerian government to escalate enforcement of its tobacco control laws, citing alarming health and environmental risks.
Nigeria, a signatory to the FCTC since 2004, has taken legislative steps with the National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and subsequent regulations but weak enforcement has allowed the tobacco industry to exploit regulatory loopholes, aggressively marketing new, addictive tobacco and nicotine products especially to young Nigerians.
“This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the treaty’s achievements and renew our commitment to a tobacco-free future,” Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi said.
He however, warned that Nigeria still records over 26,800 tobacco-related deaths annually, with countless more suffering from cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Looking beyond health risks, Oluwafemi highlighted tobacco’s devastating impact on the environment, citing pollution from cigarette butts, toxic waste, and e-cigarette microplastics.
He also accused the tobacco industry of using deceptive marketing tactics to promote alternative products, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches as “safer” options, despite their well-documented health hazards.
To combat the crisis, CAPPA is calling for stronger enforcement of tobacco control laws, a significant increase in funding for the National Tobacco Control Fund from N10 million to at least N300 million, stricter monitoring of industry compliance and penalties for violations, public health campaigns and research on tobacco consumption trends, support for tobacco farmers to transition to alternative crops among others.
Oluwafemi opined that the FCTC has saved millions of lives globally and if fully implemented, Nigeria can protect more citizens from the dangers of the tobacco industry.
The question however remains will Nigeria take decisive action or allow another generation to fall victim to preventable diseases especially with tobacco-related deaths rising and industry tactics evolving.
