Civil society organisations and tobacco control advocates have called for stronger policies and coordinated advocacy to counter evolving strategies by the tobacco industry, particularly those targeting young people.
The call was made at a two-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) for CSOs and tobacco control advocates under the theme, “Advancing Interference, Advancing Policy: The Future of Tobacco Control.”
The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to examine emerging challenges in tobacco control and assess the effectiveness of existing policy and advocacy responses in an increasingly changing environment.
Discussions at the workshop focused on the Proposed Tobacco Control Act Amendment Bill, changing strategies employed by the tobacco industry and the growing availability and visibility of new and emerging tobacco products.
Participants expressed concern over the emergence of products packaged and marketed in ways that make them appear modern and attractive, with growing concerns about their accessibility to young people.
The discussions underscored the need for tobacco control advocates to understand emerging products, industry messaging and evolving marketing tactics in order to develop more effective responses.
Participants also shared experiences and examined ways of strengthening advocacy and policy interventions to ensure that public health considerations remain at the centre of tobacco control efforts.
The workshop stressed that tobacco control can no longer focus exclusively on conventional tobacco products, as the industry continues to introduce new products and strategies capable of attracting new consumers.
At the end of the programme, participants renewed their commitment to strengthening collective advocacy, remaining vigilant to emerging industry tactics and pushing for policies capable of protecting public health, especially among young people.
The workshop therefore served not only as a capacity-building exercise but also as a platform for stakeholders to reassess the changing tobacco control landscape and develop more coordinated responses to emerging threats.
