Nigeria Tobacco Control Community Urges Tinubu to Reject Bill

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Community has called on President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, arguing it jeopardizes public health in Nigeria. During a press conference in Abuja, the community urged the National Assembly to recall the bill for a transparent, health-focused review.

Oluwafemi Akinbode, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability & Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), stated that the proposed legislation fails to protect Nigerians and instead opens the market to tobacco and nicotine companies. While acknowledging minor positive updates, such as extending smoke-free zones and including the Nigeria Police Force in the National Tobacco Control Committee, Akinbode criticized significant changes that weaken existing safeguards.

Michael Olaniyan, In-Country Coordinator for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, emphasized that public health is under threat and lamented the National Assembly's disregard for public recommendations, which led to a new 31-page bill that contradicts earlier documents.