By Esther Onyegbula

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, has called on the Federal Government to adopt stricter tobacco control measures, including policies that could eliminate nicotine from tobacco products or impose an outright ban on tobacco, warning that Nigeria can no longer sustain the growing health and economic burden linked to tobacco consumption.

National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwe Kammah Ezeh, made the call during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World No Tobacco Day observed globally on May 31.

Ezeh described tobacco as one of the deadliest consumer products ever created, noting that tobacco-related illnesses account for between 26,000 and 28,000 deaths annually in Nigeria.

According to him, the yearly observance serves as a reminder to governments, healthcare professionals, civil society groups and citizens of the urgent need to intensify efforts aimed at combating the tobacco epidemic.

“Tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. It kills up to half of its long-term users and is responsible for more than eight million deaths globally every year, including approximately 1.3 million non-smokers who die from exposure to second-hand smoke,” he said.

He lamented the growing prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use among young people, disclosing that an estimated 40 million children aged between 13 and 15 years globally currently use at least one tobacco product.

Ezeh accused tobacco companies of deliberately targeting young people through attractive flavours, deceptive packaging, aggressive branding and sophisticated marketing campaigns.

“The tobacco industry continues to target young people through carefully crafted campaigns designed to make harmful products appear attractive and harmless. This is creating a new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals,” he warned.

The ACPN chairman also raised concerns over the increasing promotion of e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery systems, which he said are often presented as safer alternatives but ultimately sustain nicotine dependence.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” Ezeh described it as timely and relevant, saying it exposes the tactics employed by tobacco companies while drawing attention to the urgent need to tackle nicotine addiction.

He noted that although Nigeria has existing tobacco control laws and regulatory frameworks, weak enforcement has continued to undermine their effectiveness.

“The continued prevalence of tobacco consumption demonstrates that our current interventions have not delivered the desired outcomes. Government complacency in addressing this epidemic only benefits the tobacco industry while thousands of Nigerians continue to lose their lives annually,” he stated.

Ezeh urged policymakers to pursue stronger scientific and regulatory measures capable of reducing the addictive potential of tobacco products.

“A strong policy that eliminates nicotine from tobacco products or an outright ban on tobacco will permanently address many of these avoidable health hazards,” he declared.

He maintained that tobacco has no proven therapeutic or medicinal value and remains directly linked to several life-threatening illnesses, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders.

Beyond its health implications, Ezeh said tobacco use has become a major economic burden on the country, revealing that smoking-attributable diseases cost Nigeria an estimated N634 billion annually through healthcare expenses and productivity losses.

“This is a burden that Nigeria can no longer sustain. Every year, families are devastated, healthcare systems are stretched and economic productivity is undermined because of diseases caused by tobacco use,” he added.

The ACPN chairman called on the Federal Government to strengthen tobacco control policies, intensify enforcement of existing laws and implement bold reforms to protect present and future generations from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.

“As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2026, we must recommit ourselves to protecting public health, reducing preventable deaths and building a healthier, tobacco-free Nigeria,” he said.

He also expressed support for Nigerians battling tobacco-related illnesses and encouraged families and caregivers caring for affected persons, expressing optimism that stronger political will, effective enforcement and sustained public awareness would significantly reduce tobacco consumption and its consequences in the country.

Ezeh further urged all stakeholders to unite in the fight against tobacco addiction in order to secure a healthier and tobacco-free future for Nigerians.