CAPPA Seeks Higher Tobacco Tax To Protect Public Health

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) is calling on the Nigerian government to double the excise tax on tobacco products to protect public health. The organization highlighted that failure to act swiftly will cost Nigeria thousands of lives and billions of dollars annually in healthcare costs and productivity loss.

CAPPA warned that the tobacco industry is aggressively marketing traditional cigarettes and new smokeless alternatives like vapes, especially targeting young people. By raising taxes, CAPPA believes it can discourage tobacco use and reduce health risks.

The group criticized Nigeria's current tobacco tax regime as weak and outdated, pointing out that only a 30% ad valorem tax and specific excise tax per cigarette pack are in place. CAPPA urged the government to follow the lead of other African countries like Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa, which have recently implemented stricter tobacco regulations.

The organization also called for a portion of the tobacco tax revenue to be allocated to health promotion and non-communicable disease prevention.