Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called on lawmakers to ensure that the proposed Bills to review the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), 2015 close regulatory gaps, protect public health, and align with global best practices.
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) made the call on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at a news conference on the Proposed Legislative Bills to review the NTCA, 2015 in Abuja.
The House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services had on Friday held a public hearing to discuss two proposed Bills aimed at amending the National NTCA 2015, titled House Bill (HB) 47 and HB 1151.
The proposed Bill titled HB 47, sponsored by Rep. Paschal Agbodike, seeks to address gaps in the Principal Act, enhance its implementation and close loopholes that the tobacco industry continues to exploit.
While HB 1151 seeks to impose stiffer penalties for violations of smoking regulations.
Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, emphaisised that any proposed amendments to the current tobacco control law must genuinely seek to strengthen and not weaken it.
Oluwafemi said, “These amendments should not become an avenue for vested interests to dilute the hard-fought gains of Nigeria’s tobacco control framework. Instead, they must focus on closing regulatory gaps, protecting public health, and aligning with global best practices.
“Indeed, the need to reinforce Nigeria’s tobacco control framework cannot be overstated.
“Current gaps in the existing regulation not only leave vulnerable populations exposed to the harms of tobacco but also provide fertile ground for the industry to exploit emerging products such as e-cigarettes, snus, smokeless tobacco, and vapes, among others, which are now advertised to young Nigerians as the new cool.
“Thousands of young Nigerians are increasingly being initiated into consuming these emerging tobacco and nicotine products disguised as modern and trendy alternatives.
“These products, often marketed as “safer options,” are anything but harmless, as has been proved by medical studies.
“Without explicit regulation, they escape the scrutiny applied to traditional tobacco products, putting young people at significant risk of addiction and long-term health complications.
“This gap in the regulatory framework must be urgently addressed to protect our youth and ensure that tobacco control laws remain comprehensive and effective.”
In his remarks, Mr Michael Olaniyan, In Country Coordinator, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, called for the elimination of the Designated Smoking Areas (DSA), saying that it did not work as people smoke any where they like in the country.
Olaniyan also emphasised the need for Nigerian government to check and regulate illicit trade of tobacco products to ensure they are taxed before getting into the country.
Mr Chibuike Nwokorie, Project Manager, Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, said the role of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) as the leading body for coordinating tobacco control efforts should be strenghtened.
Nwokorie said that the FMOHSW, through the Tobacco Control Unit (TCU) and the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC), be strengthened by equipping them with the resources, tools, and capacity needed to perform their duties diligently.
According to him, these bodies serve as the brainpower and operational engine room of the National Tobacco Control Act.
Also speaking, Zikora Ibeh, Senior Programme Manager, CAPPA, stressed the need to regulate digital marketing of tobacco and emerging products.
Ibeh said, “The increasing influence of digital platforms in promoting emerging products poses a high threat to public health, particularly as these channels, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, amongst others, often bypass traditional restrictions and target minors.
“CAPPA calls for explicit provisions to regulate digital marketing comprehensively, with penalties for platforms and third-party vendors facilitating the promotion or sale of new and emerging tobacco products online.”
She also urged the Federal Government to increase funding allocation to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF), adopt the Polluter-Pays Principle.
“We support the proposed amendment of HB 47 to Section 8 of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015, which seeks to establish a more predictable and sustainable funding mechanism for tobacco control initiatives.
“Beyond these recommendations for reviewing HB 47 and any amendment to the NTCA 2015, CAPPA is deeply concerned about the increasing and inappropriate interactions between government actors and the tobacco industry.
“Despite the clear provisions of Section 18 of the NTCA, 2015, which prohibits the tobacco industry from influencing public health policies, forming partnerships with public institutions, or engaging in youth initiatives disguised as Corporate Social Responsibility activities, the reverse is happening.
“The tobacco industry continues to partner with state governments openly, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), universities and even key government functionaries, using these engagements to whitewash its image and undermine public health efforts.”
Ibeh urged the Federal Government and public health authorities to rigorously enforce Section 18 of the National Tobacco Control Act and ensure that all interactions with the tobacco industry are transparent and strictly regulatory.
“By addressing these violations and adopting amendments that genuinely prioritise public health, Nigeria can align its tobacco control framework with global best practices, protect its citizens, and hold the tobacco industry accountable.”
By Priscilla Osaje
