Civil society groups kick against tobacco bill, cite risk to Nigerian youths

Civil society organisations and health advocates have called for the recall of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning it could expose Nigerian youths to addictive nicotine products. According to Punch Newspapers, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community said the bill could open new channels for advertising and online sales of vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. CAPPA’s Akinbode Oluwafemi said the bill weakens existing safeguards, while the coalition urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent if it reaches his desk in its current form.