Tobacco Groups Reject 2025 Amendment Bill Over Loopholes

More than 100 civil society organizations, health advocates, and public-interest groups under the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community have rejected the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025. They allege that the proposed legislation would create loopholes for the tobacco and nicotine industry while undermining existing public health safeguards.

During a press briefing in Abuja, the coalition called for the immediate withdrawal and comprehensive review of the bill, which they argue could facilitate advertising, sponsorship, product sampling, online sales, and broader distribution of emerging nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) stated that while the groups support updating the 2015 National Tobacco Control Act, they oppose provisions that favor the tobacco industry.

They criticized the inclusion of “tobacco harm reduction objectives” and the proposed relaxation of advertising prohibitions, arguing it could expose children to tobacco advertising and weaken regulations on heated tobacco products.