CAPPA Calls For Stricter Tobacco Law Enforcement And Control On FCTC’s 20th Anniversary
As the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) marks its 20th anniversary, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Nigerian government to step up enforcement of tobacco control laws.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, CAPPA highlighted the need for stricter implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), the National Tobacco Control Regulations, and the ban on promoting and glamorizing smoking in the entertainment industry.
The WHO FCTC, adopted on February 27, 2005, is the first global public health treaty aimed at regulating tobacco products and their impact on health, the environment, and the economy. Nigeria, a signatory since 2004, ratified the treaty in 2005 and later enacted national laws to support its implementation.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized that while these regulations exist, enforcement remains weak, allowing the tobacco industry to exploit loopholes and target vulnerable populations, particularly the youth, with unregulated and addictive nicotine products.
“Every year, over 8 million people die globally from tobacco-related diseases. In Nigeria alone, tobacco use claims 26,800 lives annually and contributes to deadly non-communicable diseases like cancer and heart disease,” Oluwafemi stated.
He further accused the tobacco industry of misleading the public through deceptive marketing strategies that promote e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products as “safer” alternatives.
“These products are not safe. They are addictive and contain harmful chemicals that pose serious health risks,” he warned.
To address the issue, CAPPA called for stronger regulatory action, including increased funding for the National Tobacco Control Fund (NTCF). The organization urged the federal government to raise its allocation from N10 million to at least N300 million to support enforcement, public health campaigns, and research.
Oluwafemi stressed that Nigeria must fully leverage the FCTC to protect its citizens, saying, “The treaty has saved lives worldwide, and by enforcing it effectively, we can shield more Nigerians from the dangers of tobacco.”
