Tobacco Bill Sparks Fresh Row as Health Advocates Warn of Looser Ad Rules

Health advocates and more than 100 civil society organisations have raised concerns over proposed changes to Nigeria’s tobacco-control law, warning that relaxed advertising and online sales rules could weaken protections against tobacco and nicotine use.

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) is calling on the National Assembly to withdraw the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 and subject it to a transparent review focused on public health before it proceeds to presidential assent.

The coalition made the demand during a press briefing in Abuja, where it raised concerns about several provisions in the consolidated Bill.

The Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the coalition had carefully examined the proposed legislation and believed some provisions could weaken existing tobacco-control measures.

The group said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should withhold assent if the Bill reaches his desk in its current form.

Advocates question proposed advertising changes

According to the coalition, the proposed amendments could relax restrictions on tobacco and nicotine advertising, sponsorship, product sampling, retail displays and online promotions.

Michael Olaniyan, In-country Coordinator of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said the Bill could permit certain forms of advertising through “adult publications,” point-of-sale materials and online platforms.

He also raised concerns about provisions that could allow tobacco companies to sponsor cultural, social and recreational events.

The coalition questioned the proposed definition of an “adult publication,” which reportedly allows a publication to qualify if at least 50 per cent of its readership is made up of adults.

Advocates argued that this could still expose children and teenagers to tobacco-related promotions, particularly because content published online can easily circulate beyond its intended audience through websites and social media.

Online tobacco sales raise age-verification concerns

The coalition also objected to proposed provisions that could allow online sales, remote orders, shipping and courier delivery of certain non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products.

It argued that Nigeria currently lacks sufficiently reliable systems to verify the age of every online purchaser.

The advocates warned that such gaps could make it easier for minors to access nicotine products.

They maintained that tobacco-control policies should prioritise public health and the protection of future generations from addiction and preventable diseases.

Coalition raises concerns over penalties

Olawale Makanjuola, Coordinator of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, said the proposed amendment would remove specific penalties for some offences, including selling tobacco products to minors, violating packaging requirements and non-compliant distribution.

The coalition argued that removing clearly defined penalties could create uncertainty around enforcement and make it more difficult to hold violators accountable.

It described the potential changes as regulatory gaps that could favour companies or individuals who fail to comply with tobacco-control requirements.

Groups demand transparency from lawmakers

The NTCA is also demanding greater transparency over the legislative process.

The coalition wants the National Assembly to publish committee reports, voting records and stakeholder submissions that contributed to the development of the amendment Bill.

It further called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to publicly clarify its position on the proposed legislation.

The group said the Bill should be recalled if adequate consultation with relevant public health stakeholders did not take place.

The coalition ultimately called for a strong, product-neutral tobacco-control framework that would maintain restrictions on advertising, sponsorship, product sampling, retail displays and remote sales of tobacco and nicotine products.

For the advocates, the central issue is whether the proposed amendments will strengthen Nigeria’s tobacco-control framework or create new opportunities for tobacco and nicotine products to reach a wider market.