The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has expressed deep concern over the escalating influence of tobacco and nicotine products on Nigerian youths, calling for robust enforcement of tobacco control laws to safeguard the nation's next generation.
World No Tobacco Day 2026 Statement
In a statement released to commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2026, the alliance emphasized that this year's theme, “Unmasking the appeal: Countering nicotine and tobacco addiction,” sheds light on how tobacco companies employ marketing strategies that exploit the aspirations, emotions, and fears of young individuals.
Marketing Strategies Targeting Youth
The group noted that Nigerian youths are increasingly exposed to depictions of smoking, shisha, and vaping through music videos, fashion trends, and social media platforms. Attractive flavors and branding often make tobacco products appear appealing, luring young people into addiction.
Alarming Statistics
According to NTCA, recent studies indicate that nearly one in five schoolchildren aged between 13 and 15 years has experimented with at least one tobacco product, while approximately one in 10 currently smokes. The alliance described these figures as worrying despite years of public health campaigns, attributing the trend to weak enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015, which continues to expose adolescents to subtle forms of tobacco promotion and recruitment.
Economic and Health Consequences
The alliance also highlighted the economic burden of tobacco use, estimating that tobacco-related illnesses cost Nigeria over N211 billion annually through healthcare expenditure and lost productivity. Citing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, NTCA reported that nearly 30,000 deaths recorded in Nigeria in 2021 were directly linked to diseases caused by tobacco use.
Tobacco consumption significantly contributes to the burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. The impact extends beyond health, as many families face financial hardship from treating tobacco-related illnesses, while exposure to second-hand smoke heightens health risks for children and pregnant women.
Call to Action
The group called on parents, lawmakers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to unite in protecting young people from nicotine addiction and the influence of the tobacco industry. It urged the Federal Government to fully implement its commitments under international tobacco control agreements and enforce restrictions on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, particularly on digital platforms and social media.
NTCA maintained that World No Tobacco Day should serve as a renewed call to action, stressing that urgent measures are needed to safeguard Nigerian youths, protect public health, and reduce the social and economic burden of tobacco use.
