Nigeria: Call for stronger tobacco control to protect youth

Several public health associations have issued recommendations that can help Nigeria effectively combat tobacco use, particularly to protect its youth.

Nigeria is a key market for the tobacco industry in Africa due to its large and rapidly growing population (44% of the population is under 15 years old) and its access to other markets in the region.

Health associations call for mobilization of public authorities

The associations insisted on the proper application of the regulations in force and on the importance of prevention to discourage people from starting smoking at a young age. These associations also recommended a 70% increase in taxes[1] on the prices of tobacco products to make the products less accessible.

Campaign launched to raise awareness among young people about the presence of tobacco in cinema

Civil society organizations also point to the process of “normalization” of tobacco in society. During the month of November 2020, a Nigerian NGO (CAPPA) launched the #SmokeFreeNollywood campaign[2] to warn about the considerable presence of tobacco in films and series. The organization highlights the weight of influencers in the film industry and asks that Nigerian films do not promote tobacco. This request corresponds to the country's simple compliance with the provisions of the FCTC and the Nigerian Tobacco Control Act. Some of the recommendations made by CAPPA include obtaining an adult classification for films containing tobacco scenes, including strong health messages during the launch of films and the broadcasting of prevention campaigns, blurring the names of tobacco brands and products in the background of film scenes and a total ban on the placement of tobacco products.

Tobacco Industry Interference in Nigeria

Nigeria ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2005. To fulfil its obligations under the treaty, Nigeria enacted the National Tobacco Control Act in 2015 and the National Tobacco Control Regulations, adopted and gazetted in 2019.[3].

However, according to the 2020 Tobacco Industry Interference Index[4], in Nigeria, despite clear laws and policies in place, the tobacco industry continues to benefit from significant advantages from the government: participation in the development of health policies, strong communication associated with so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions. These practices lead to obstacles in the implementation of tobacco control programs in the country.[5].