Public Health vs. Profits: Stakeholders advocate 50 percent tax on tobacco products in Nigeria

*Health stakeholders and tobacco control advocates, at the recent Gatefield Health Summit 2025, in Abuja, urge the Nigerian Government to increase tobacco taxes to 50 percent of the retail price, arguing the West African country cannot continue to sacrifice its citizens’ health for tobacco industry profit

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of practical measures and a key tool to reduce tobacco-related illnesses, and safeguard public health, stakeholders in the health sector and tobacco control advocates have urged the Nigerian Government to raise taxes on tobacco products to 50 percent of their retail prices in the economy.

ConsumerConnect reports the stakeholders stated this on the second day of the Gatefield Health Summit 2025, held recently in Abuja, FCT.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Honourable Minister for Health and Social Welfare

Tobacco products are described as items made from tobacco or nicotine that are used for human consumption, and they come in many forms, including smoked (cigarettes, cigars, hookahs) and smokeless (chewing tobacco, snuff) varieties.

Other categories include heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid containing nicotine.

Emphasising the far-reaching implications of tobacco use and substance abuse on consumers’ health and the entire economy, the experts from civil society groups and tobacco control networks also stressed that Nigeria could no longer continue to sacrifice its citizens’ health for tobacco industry profit.

Speaking at the event, Michael Olaniyan, Nigeria’s Representative for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, opined that higher taxes are effective in discouraging youth smoking.

Lagos, Enugu court judgements reinforce Consumer Protection Act 2018 –Bello

Olaniyan observed the West African country’s current tax level of about 25 percent still falls far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 75 percent of retail price.

He also said: “We are calling on the Federal Government to increase tobacco taxation to at least 50 percent as a first step.

“Countries that have taken bold action through taxation have seen remarkable drops in tobacco use, reduced health costs, and improved productivity. Nigeria should not be an exception.”

All forms of tobacco are poisonous, addictive −Tobacco Control Alliance

Likewise, Chibuike Nwokorem, Programme Lead at the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), lambasted the tobacco companies for allegedly exploiting weak enforcement mechanisms while influencing policy decisions through industry associations in the economy.

Describing tobacco in all its forms, cigarettes, snuff, or newer electronic alternatives, as poisonous and addictive, Nwokorem urged the Federal Government and other regulatory agencies to resist prioritising revenue over consumers’ welfare.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Turning Towards Prosperity, By Wale Edun

Nutrition Security: Aliko Dangote Foundation Launches National Initiative To Promote Fermented Foods

The Body Shop Expands In Nigeria, Opens First Office In Lagos

The NTCA Programme Lead asserted: “No matter the form, tobacco is harmful! The government must not sacrifice the health of Nigerians at the altar of corporate profit.

“These companies boast about the taxes they pay, but no amount of revenue can equate to the health burden they create.”

On tobacco industry’s alleged interference in policy decision-making

He equally stressed that Nigeria has extant laws, including the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015 and the Regulations of 2019, which prohibit the sale of single sticks and restrict tobacco advertising.

The tobacco control advocate, however, submitted that but enforcement remains poor in the country’s economy.

Nwokorem explained: “Our law prohibits the sale of single sticks of cigarettes and sales to minors under 18.

“Unfortunately, these laws are rarely enforced.

“The industry uses Corporate Social Responsibility as a smokescreen to polish its image and gain access to government and youth programmes.”

Underscoring his core message to participants, the Programme Lead at NTCA as well referenced Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Nigeria ratified in 2005.

He, therefore, urged governments to protect public health policies from interference by tobacco companies.

The tobacco industry, he also alleged, still sits in policy-making spaces through associations, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to unduly influence decisions that otherwise should prioritise consumers’ well-being.

Among other speakers at the Gatefield Health Summit 2025, in Abuja, including Ummi Musa Umar, Aisha Mustapha and Kenneth Anetor also highlighted the link between tobacco use, substance abuse, and the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases, including cancer among young Nigerian consumers.

They agreed with other speakers that weak regulation, poor enforcement, and limited funding for preventive health interventions have continued to expose consumers to avoidable risks in the economy.

WHO: Tobacco causes over 8 million deaths worldwide annually  

The Federal Government, May 2025, had announced plans to raise excise tax on tobacco products from 30 percent ad-valorem to 50 percent as part of measures to control tobacco smoking in the country.

Dr. Mangai Malau, Head of the Tobacco Control Unit, Non-Communicable Disease Division, Federal Ministry of Health, at the time reportedly said the government had estimated tobacco tax at 30 percent, but its target was to increase it to 50 percent in accordance with the WHO standard.

Malau stated this while presenting a paper titled: “Overview of Tobacco Control Funding/Budgeting in Nigeria: Why Tobacco Control Budgeting and Funding?”, at the National Tobacco Control Budget Advocates Meeting, in Abuja.

The expert said the funding for tobacco control must come majorly from taxation, and there is also a need for relevant stakeholders to apply tax measures rightly, if they are to address the issues of tobacco control in Nigeria.

The Head of the Tobacco Control Unit, Non-Communicable Disease Division also averred: “In effectively controlling tobacco and tobacco products in Nigeria, funding is a critical component.

“The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recognises this and clearly stipulates it in Article 26.

“It states that parties shall provide financial support in respect of its national activities intended to achieve the objective of the Convention, in accordance with its national plans, priorities and programmes.”

Malau further noted: “It is also important to state that funding is a major provision of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act.

“Section eight of the Act provides for the Tobacco Control Fund, which shall be used to fund tobacco control activities, programmes and projects,” Malau said.

He equally emphasised the need for Nigeria to meet the objectives of the WHO, FCTC, and the NTC Act.

“Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability and impoverishment in the world.

“It is the greatest risk factor for non-communicable diseases like hypertension, stroke, cancers, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,” stated he.

Referencing WHO’s findings, Malau stated: “Tobacco causes more than eight million deaths annually around the world, with more than seven million of those deaths as a result of direct tobacco use.

“And about 1.2 million resulting from non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.”

He added: “Also, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke, and even a brief exposure can be harmful to one’s health.

“Concerned about the threat from tobacco, Nigeria signed and ratified the WHO FCTC, in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

“In 2015, the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act was enacted, and its Regulations were passed in 2019.”

Kindly Share This Story