CISLAC Urges Stronger Tobacco Tax Enforcement in Nigeria

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has issued a warning regarding the potential failure of Nigeria's new tobacco tax regime due to weak enforcement, tax evasion, and industry influence. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, made these statements at the Second National Tobacco Tax Summit in Abuja.

He stressed that merely raising tobacco taxes would not effectively reduce consumption or prevent health issues unless supported by stringent enforcement and transparent revenue management. Rafsanjani highlighted the importance of addressing under-declaration, illicit trade, and tax evasion, stating that a robust tobacco tax policy is ineffective without proper enforcement and accountability.

He called for improved public awareness regarding tobacco tax design, revenue generation, and compliance by tobacco companies. Rafsanjani noted that while progress has been made since the first summit in 2025, significant work remains to ensure that tobacco products are less affordable and that the tax structure aligns with economic realities.