CISLAC Critiques Nigeria's 2026 Tobacco Tax Policy

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concerns regarding Nigeria's newly approved 2026 fiscal policy measures, particularly the revised tobacco tax framework. CISLAC's Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, stated that the policy, effective from April 1, 2026, inadequately protects public health and does not align with Nigeria's obligations under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The new excise duty structure maintains a 30% ad valorem excise duty with a minimal annual specific tax increment of N1.00. CISLAC argues that this adjustment is insufficient to reduce tobacco consumption, especially given Nigeria's inflation rate exceeding 15%.

The organization highlighted that Nigeria's tax levels remain significantly below the ECOWAS benchmark and warned that even by 2028, Nigeria may not achieve the recommended threshold. CISLAC urged the federal government to align tobacco tax with ECOWAS minimum standards to enhance public health protections and reduce tobacco industry influence.