Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has expressed worry over the increasing and inappropriate interactions between government actors and the tobacco industry.
Its Executive Director, Oluwafemi Akinbode, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, also called for imposition of stiffer penalties for violations of smoking regulations in order to safeguard the well-being of all Nigerians.
He said despite the clear provisions of Section 18 of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015, which prohibits the tobacco industry from influencing public health policies, forming partnerships with public institutions, or engaging in youth initiatives disguised as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, tobacco companies continue to hobnob with government officials.
He added that the tobacco industry continued to partner with state governments openly, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), universities and even key government functionaries, using these engagements to whitewash its image and undermine public health efforts.
Akinbode noted: “We urge the Nigerian government and public health authorities to rigorously enforce Section 18 of the National Tobacco Control Act, ensuring that all interactions with the tobacco industry are transparent and strictly regulatory.
“By addressing these violations and adopting amendments that genuinely prioritise public health, Nigeria can align its tobacco control framework with global best practices, protect its citizens, and hold the tobacco industry accountable.”
While acknowledging recent efforts to review the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, Akinbode insisted 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.
He recalled that 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.
The Executive Director stressed that 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.
On her part, Senior Programme Manager, Policy and Research, Zikora Ibeh explained that the bill, which seeks to impose stiffer penalties for violations of smoking regulations, suffers from a fundamental flaw in misrepresenting the title of the Principal Act and the referenced Sections for amendments.
She noted: “Regarding HB 47, which aims to cure certain defects in the NTCA 2015, ensure its effective implementation, as well as address the lacuna that may be exploited by the tobacco industry in Nigeria, we have commended its intent but highlighted some gaps and areas that require strengthening.
“By attempting to amend a ‘National Tobacco Smoking (Control) Act 2015’, a law that does not exist it raises concerns about the legislative intent and procedural soundness. We have strongly recommended that this Bill be withdrawn.”
Ibeh emphasised that the proposed 30-meter restriction in Section 9 of HB 47, which addresses no-smoking zones around schools, daycare centres, and parks, was insufficient to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children.