CAPPA Urges National Assembly to Increase Tobacco Control Budget to N300 Million


The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the National Assembly to increase the budgetary allocation for Tobacco Control in the 2025 Appropriation Bill from N10 million to a minimum of N300 million.  

In petitions addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Dr Tajudeen Abbas, CAPPA emphasized the urgent need for enhanced funding to address the multifaceted challenges of tobacco use and effectively implement the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015.  

Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, highlighted the devastating impact of tobacco consumption in Nigeria, where 26,800 lives are lost annually to tobacco-related illnesses. 

He noted the financial and environmental toll, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, deforestation, and pollution caused by tobacco farming and cigarette waste.  

“Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. 

“The economic and environmental impacts of tobacco are immense. To counter these threats, the government must prioritize funding for effective regulation and control,” Oluwafemi stated.  


The Need for Increased Funding

  

Oluwafemi underscored that the current N10 million allocation to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF), though an improvement from N4.7 million in 2023, remains grossly insufficient. 

He outlined critical areas requiring funding:  

1. Operational Costs: The National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC) requires significant resources for meetings and other statutory activities mandated by the NTCA.

2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Robust media outreach and community engagement are vital for educating citizens about the dangers of tobacco use.  

3. Support for Farmers: Funding is needed for alternative cropping initiatives to help tobacco farmers transition to sustainable agriculture.  

4. Enforcement and Monitoring: Adequate resources are essential for training enforcement teams, ensuring compliance with tobacco control laws, and prosecuting violators.  


Unregulated Tobacco Products and Industry Interference

  

CAPPA also raised concerns about the rise of unregulated tobacco and nicotine products targeting younger demographics. 

Oluwafemi criticized tobacco companies for exploiting weak monitoring systems, aggressively marketing their products, and using corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to undermine tobacco control laws.  

“These products, including electronic cigarettes, are marketed as trendy despite their health risks. 

“Tobacco companies are leveraging CSR initiatives to gain favor with public health authorities, which undermines efforts to curb tobacco use,” Oluwafemi explained.  


Calls to Action

  

CAPPA made two key demands to the National Assembly:  

1. Increase the Tobacco Control Budget: Allocate a minimum of N300 million in the 2025 budget to enable NATOCC and the Tobacco Control Unit (TCU) within the Ministry of Health to implement critical initiatives, such as public health campaigns, research, enforcement, and farmer support programs.  

2. Fully Operationalize the Tobacco Control Fund: Established under Section 8 of the NTCA 2015, the TCF remains underutilized. CAPPA urged its full operationalization to fund public health campaigns, enforce tobacco laws, and support alternative livelihoods for farmers.  

“By operationalizing the TCF and ensuring its transparent management, the National Assembly can safeguard public health, reduce economic burdens, and protect the environment,” Oluwafemi concluded.

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