By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS tobacco smoking related deaths rise and many infected, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, Wednesday , raised concerns and called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to urgently address regulatory gaps in the Tobacco control Act to safeguard lives of Nigerians, especially young people.

Speaking at a press conference, the Executive Director, CAPPA, Oluwafemi Akinboade, in an address read said the government and lawmakers are to do the needful to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco products on the lives of Nigerians on the heels of the recent efforts to review the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015.

Akinboade said: “Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, acknowledges recent efforts to review the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015.

“However, we maintain that any such review must uphold the protection of public health, strengthen regulatory oversight, and decisively close the loopholes that allow the tobacco industry to continue exploiting vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

“As some of us may know, a public hearing was held last week at the House of Representatives to discuss two proposed Bills aimed at amending the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015, titled House Bill (HB) 47 and HB 1151.

“While these Bills represent an opportunity to strengthen tobacco control in Nigeria, they also reveal gaps that must be addressed to ensure that their proposed amendments align with what ought to be the ultimate goal, which is safeguarding the well-being of all Nigerians over the profit-driven interests of the tobacco industry.

“I would like to emphasise a critical point, and it is that any proposed amendments to the current tobacco control law must genuinely seek to strengthen and not weaken it. These amendments should not become an avenue for vested interests to dilute the hard-fought gains of Nigeria’s tobacco control framework.

“Instead, they must focus on closing regulatory gaps, protecting public health, and aligning with global best practices

“Current gaps in the existing regulation not only leave vulnerable populations exposed to the harms of tobacco but also provide fertile ground for the industry to exploit emerging products such as e-cigarettes, snus, smokeless tobacco, and vapes, among others, which are now advertised to young Nigerians as the new cool.

“Thousands of young Nigerians are increasingly being initiated into consuming these emerging tobacco and nicotine products disguised as modern and trendy alternatives.

“These products, often marketed as “safer options,” are anything but harmless, as has been proved by medical studies. Without explicit regulation, they escape the scrutiny applied to traditional tobacco products, putting young people at significant risk of addiction and long-term health complications.

“This gap in the regulatory framework must be urgently addressed to protect our youth and ensure that tobacco control laws remain comprehensive and effective.

“Interestingly, despite the urgent need to address the threats posed by tobacco and nicotine addiction to public health, we continue to hear arguments from industry proponents advocating for the so-called “right” to smoke or indulge in allegedly “safer” alternatives that still lead to harm.

“While individual freedoms are important, they cannot outweigh the collective right to health. Smoking, along with the use of emerging products like vapes and heated tobacco, is not just a personal choice—it is a public health crisis with far-reaching consequences. Governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens, even from self-inflicted harm or suicide, by implementing robust measures to regulate these products and safeguard public health.”

Meanwhile, he dismissed the claims that taxing the tobacco industry would harm the economy by reducing investments and increasing unemployment.

“This argument is a worn-out and misleading narrative often used to pressure public health authorities into placing corporate profits over the welfare of the people. The reality is that tobacco companies continue to declare enormous profits despite their constant wailing and objections.

“In fact, one major tobacco manufacturer in Nigeria describes its investment potential for shareholders as “highly cash generative,” boasting of a “100 percent operating cash conversion annually over the last four years and returning £26.2 billion to shareholders since 2019.” These figures prove that the industry remains resilient and profitable despite regulatory measures.

“On the other hand, the economic burden of tobacco consumption is huge. Tobacco use is directly linked to long-term diseases, debilitating out-of-pocket medical bills, and loss of productivity. Sick individuals cannot contribute to the economy, and families burdened by tobacco-related illnesses face financial ruin. The overall economic toll far outweighs any perceived short-term gains from tobacco industry investments.

“To counter these challenges, increasing taxes on tobacco products—including emerging alternatives—is essential. Taxes serve as a deterrent to consumption, particularly among young people, while generating revenue that can strengthen healthcare systems, fund public health campaigns, and subsidise treatment for victims of tobacco-related diseases.”