ATIM Urges NASS to Reconsider Tobacco Control Amendments

The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) has called on Nigeria's National Assembly to reconsider proposed amendments to the National Tobacco Control Act 2015. In a statement supported by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), ATIM expressed concerns that the proposed "Tobacco Harm Reduction" provisions could jeopardize Nigeria's tobacco control progress.

The organization highlighted that adult smoking prevalence in Nigeria is currently estimated at 5-6%, a significant reduction compared to previous decades. ATIM warned that the amendments could create loopholes for the tobacco industry to target youth with nicotine products.

The initial amendment process aimed to strengthen the Act but later introduced provisions for non-combustible products, including electronic nicotine products. ATIM emphasized the need for transparency regarding the origins of these provisions and urged the government to focus on proven tobacco control measures rather than adopting contested concepts like "Tobacco Harm Reduction.".