The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has petitioned the National Assembly to halt further transmission or consideration of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and recall the consolidated Bill for a fresh, transparent and evidence-based public health review.
The Alliance, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Communications Officer, Emmanuel Onwuka, said it was concerned that some provisions of the Bill could weaken existing tobacco-control safeguards and create regulatory openings for emerging tobacco and nicotine products.
It specifically raised concerns over the proposed introduction of “tobacco harm reduction objectives” and the inclusion of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, heated tobacco products and tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches under the non-combustible products framework.
The group also faulted provisions that would permit vaping for product sampling at points of sale, warning that such a measure could promote and normalise emerging nicotine products, particularly among young people.
According to the Alliance, proposed advertising and promotion provisions could permit the marketing of non-combustible products through adult publications, point-of-sale promotional materials and online adult advertising.
It further expressed concern that the Bill would allow sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events targeted at persons aged 18 and above.
The NTCA questioned whether such provisions would sufficiently protect children and young people from exposure to tobacco and nicotine marketing.
It also criticised the proposed definition of an “adult publication”, which reportedly relies on a threshold of 50 per cent adult readership.
The Alliance argued that the threshold may be inadequate to prevent children and young people from being exposed to tobacco and nicotine advertising, particularly on publications and digital platforms with substantial underage audiences.
On online sales, the group raised concerns about provisions allowing the remote sale of non-combustible products through mail, shipping and courier services.
While acknowledging the importance of age verification, it said the Bill did not adequately address possible circumvention, third-party vendors, the reliability of online age-verification systems or regulators’ capacity to monitor online vendors and delivery channels.
The Alliance warned that the identified gaps could make it easier for minors to gain access to regulated tobacco and nicotine products.
It also questioned proposed changes to enforcement penalties, saying the consolidated Bill appeared to delete specified penalty provisions under Section 16 of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015.
The NTCA said the move could raise concerns about the strength and enforceability of the tobacco-control framework.
The group further objected to proposed changes to health-warning requirements, including reduced warning requirements for emerging products, exemptions for electronic cigarettes and heating devices, and a proposal to limit text warnings on nicotine pouch packaging to no more than 10 per cent of the front of the package.
It argued that the changes could diminish the visibility and effectiveness of health warnings at the point where consumers make decisions about tobacco and nicotine products.
The Alliance called for the consolidated Bill to be recalled and subjected to a fresh review involving public health institutions, technical experts, civil society organisations and other affected stakeholders.
It said the review should prioritise the protection of children and young people, prevention of nicotine initiation and dependence, enforceability of proposed regulations and Nigeria’s public health obligations.
Among its demands, the NTCA urged the National Assembly to halt transmission of the Bill to the President pending a transparent review and recall the consolidated legislation for detailed scrutiny.
It also called for the publication of relevant committee reports, voting records and stakeholder submissions that informed the development of the consolidated Bill.
The Alliance further demanded wider consultation with public health institutions, civil society organisations and other affected stakeholders before any further legislative action.
The NTCA reiterated its call for the immediate recall and fresh review of the Bill, stressing that the legislative process should prioritise the health and welfare of Nigerians, particularly children and young people.
