NTCA raises concerns over non-implementation of graphic health warnings on tobacco products

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

 Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has raised concerns over the  non implications of graphic health warnings( (GHWs)

 on tobacco products.

“Still some tobacco products in the country are still in violation of the country’s law against products without graphic health warnings”.

Chairman of NTCA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, stated this at the weekend during a briefing on the current state of the graphic health warnings policy implementation in Nigeria.

He said there are growing concerns in Nigeria about the increasing use of tobacco

products, especially the use of shisha and new tobacco products among young population despite the serious health implications.

“The introduction of Graphic Health Warnings (GHWS) has been proven as an

effective way of reducing tobacco use and its associated harms. Studies have also shown that GHWs are more effective than text-only warnings in communicating the risks associated with tobacco use. They are also more

likely to be noticed and remembered by users and intending users.

“This measure is contained in Article 11 of the World Health Organisation

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) and in our local laws. Section 20 of the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015 (NTC Act) requires manufacturers, importers, and distributors of tobacco products to ensure that their products carry fully coloured graphic health warnings, covering at least 50% of the principal display area and that the graphic

photo must clearly show the health implications of tobacco use and exposure.

“In providing further guidelines for effectively implementing this policy, section 20 (3) of the National Tobacco Control Act stipulates that graphic

health warnings must be changed after an initial period no later than 24 months to new warnings and messages prescribed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“The current set of warnings, depicting a photo of mouth cancer was issued on June 23, 2023, and will expire on June 22, 2025, after a period of two years.

It is now one year since the warnings came into effect. As an Alliance, we alerted our members in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Abia, Kano,

Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River and Lagos states to continually monitor compliance with the second phase of the warnings. From the findings, the

compliance level on the conventional cigarette is above 80%. However, it is

shocking to reveal that compliance is abysmal on other tobacco products like

Shisha, and flavoured vapes, that are still illegally marketed in Nigeria this is unacceptable. The tobacco industry should not undermine the laws

governing its business in Nigeria.

“The profit-centered tobacco industry producing, importing and

distributing these tobacco products is foot-dragging to weaken this policy

because it knows that graphic health warnings reduce the number of people

who start smoking, just as it encourages current smokers to quit. They can

help to reduce the amount of tobacco consumed by current smokers.”

He also urged standard organization of Nigeria(SON) police force, the federal competition and consumer protection commission, federal ministry of health and relevant government governments enforcement and regulations agencies to ensure the effective implementation of graphics health warnings on all tobacco products.

“ This is an important steps in reducing the side effects of tobacco use and protecting the health of Nigerians . The graphic health warnings policy must not be derailed”, he stated .

While speaking on the need for all tobacco products to have graphics health warnings, Pogramme Officer NTCA, Chibuike Nwokorie, said the act and regulations covered all tobacco products.

“Every tobacco product is covered by the act and regulations. We want all of them to have the graphic health warnings.

“We are calling on all the regulations agency to ensure implementation of graphic health warnings on all products.The government needs to act now.”