Group urges Tinubu to withhold assent to NTCA Amendment Bill

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

A coalition of more than 100 civil society groups, health advocates and public-interest organisations has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning that the proposed legislation could weaken existing safeguards against tobacco and nicotine addiction.
The group made the call Monday during a joint press briefing on the consolidated amendment bill, describing it as a threat to public health and demanding its immediate recall for a comprehensive and transparent review.
According to the coalition, while the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and its 2019 Regulations require updating to address emerging tobacco and nicotine products, such reforms must not create loopholes for vapes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.
“Our conclusion is that this Bill does not protect Nigerians. It instead weakens existing safeguards and creates a wide-open market for tobacco and nicotine companies to thrive at the expense of public health,” the group said.
The coalition acknowledged some provisions it described as positive, including Clause 5, which extends smoke-free zones to within 30 metres of schools and health facilities, and Clause 3, which adds the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry responsible for youth development to the National Tobacco Control Committee.
However, it criticised provisions introducing “tobacco harm reduction objectives,” arguing that the concept could be used to justify weaker regulations for emerging nicotine products.
It also faulted the proposed reclassification of heated tobacco products as non-combustible products, arguing that such products still contain tobacco and should be regulated as tobacco products.
The group further raised concerns over provisions allowing advertising of non-combustible products through adult publications, point-of-sale materials and online platforms, as well as sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events.
It particularly criticised the definition of an “adult publication” as one with at least 50 per cent adult readership, warning that publications with substantial child readership could still qualify.
The coalition also opposed provisions permitting online sales, remote orders and delivery of non-combustible products, arguing that age-verification measures could be circumvented.
It said proposed changes to penalties and health-warning requirements for novel products could further weaken enforcement and consumer protection.
The group demanded that the National Assembly immediately recall the consolidated bill and publish committee reports, voting records and stakeholder submissions that informed its development.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to publicly clarify its position on the bill and urged Nigerians and stakeholders to defend existing public-health safeguards.