Tobacco Control Coalition Rejects Amendment Bill, Urges Tinubu To Withhold Assent
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Nigeria’s tobacco control advocates have mounted strong opposition to a proposed amendment to the National Tobacco Control Act, warning that the legislation could roll back years of public health progress by easing restrictions on tobacco and nicotine products.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, a coalition of health and civil society organisations described the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 as a “dangerous” and “catastrophic” attempt to weaken existing safeguards.
The groups called on the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the bill and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent if it reaches his desk.
The coalition argued that the proposed legislation would create a more permissive regulatory environment for electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other non-combustible products by allowing advertising, online sales, product displays and promotional activities currently prohibited under the 2015 law.
It warned that such provisions would expose more young Nigerians to tobacco marketing and make harmful products easier to access.
The organisations also criticised provisions they said would weaken health warnings, reduce packaging standards, allow manufacturers to conceal product information as trade secrets and grant broad discretionary powers to exempt certain products from statutory controls.
They maintained that the bill conflicts with Nigeria’s obligations under international tobacco control agreements and could undermine public health.
The coalition demanded the publication of all versions of the amendment bill and related legislative records, while calling on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Attorney-General of the Federation and other regulators to clarify their positions.
It also urged health professionals, the media and Nigerians to support efforts to preserve the integrity of the National Tobacco Control Act.
Nigeria Tobacco Control Community Rejects Dangerous Amendment Bill, Demands Immediate Recall.docx
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