Proposed Tobacco Law Could Widen Youth Access to Nicotine – Groups Warn
Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria — Health advocates and civil society organisations have raised concerns that proposed amendments to Nigeria’s tobacco-control law could make emerging nicotine products, including vapes and nicotine pouches, more accessible to young people.
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Community issued the warning on Monday in Abuja while opposing provisions contained in the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The coalition said some of the proposed changes could create new avenues for advertising and selling nicotine products online and at points of sale, making it harder to protect children and adolescents from exposure.
The statement was read by the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Akinbode Oluwafemi, during an event organised to raise concerns about the proposed amendments.
The coalition argued that allowing or expanding online sales and courier delivery of emerging nicotine products could complicate age verification and enforcement.
It also warned that increased advertising at points of sale and through online platforms could expose young people to products containing addictive substances.
The groups said they supported updating the existing tobacco-control framework to address newer products but insisted that any amendment should strengthen, rather than weaken, public-health safeguards.
“We have carefully reviewed the consolidated National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025. Our conclusion is that this Bill does not protect Nigerians,” the coalition said.
The organisations also challenged the proposed classification of heated tobacco products as non-combustible products.
“Heating it instead of burning it does not remove its toxicity or addictiveness,” the coalition said.
Advocates demand stronger safeguards
The groups said the emergence of vaping products, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products required stronger regulation because of their potential to attract younger consumers.
They argued that legislation should address the marketing, sale, distribution and promotion of emerging nicotine products while maintaining strong restrictions designed to protect children.
The coalition urged the National Assembly to subject the proposed amendments to a transparent review involving public-health experts, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to intervene in the legislative process.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Tobacco Alliance, Olawale Makanjuola urged authorities to place public health at the centre of any changes to the tobacco-control framework.
“Public health should be of importance to Nigeria. As members of the Tobacco Alliance, we are firmly against this bill,” he said.
Call for presidential rejection
The coalition appealed to lawmakers to reconsider provisions it believes could weaken tobacco-control measures.
It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent if the bill reaches his desk in its current form.
The debate comes as Nigeria faces the challenge of regulating an expanding range of nicotine products while attempting to prevent young people from becoming exposed to addictive substances.
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