CAPPA seeks N300m budget for tobacco control in Nigeria

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has called on the National Assembly to significantly increase the budgetary allocation for tobacco control in the 2025 national budget.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

It is advocating for the allocation to rise from the current N10m to N300m, arguing that this funding is essential to combat the growing public health crisis caused by tobacco consumption.

In separate petitions submitted on Monday to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, CAPPA emphasised that a minimum of N300m is crucial for addressing the multiple challenges posed by tobacco use and ensuring the effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015.

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, highlighted the severe health and economic toll of tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, including in Nigeria.

He pointed out that tobacco-related illnesses claim 26,800 lives annually in Nigeria and contribute to widespread non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

“Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death globally, and Nigeria is no exception. Annually, tobacco-related illnesses claim 26,800 Nigerian lives and cause debilitating conditions for thousands more.

“The economic toll is enormous, costing billions in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. Additionally, tobacco cultivation exacerbates deforestation and soil degradation, while cigarette waste pollutes the environment,” he said.

Oluwafemi also raised concerns about the increasing popularity of unregulated tobacco and nicotine products, such as electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, which are particularly targeted at young people. These products, he said, are often marketed as trendy alternatives despite their health risks.

“These products are marketed as trendy despite their health risks. Moreover, tobacco companies in Nigeria continue to exploit weak monitoring systems to aggressively market their products on social media, while using corporate social responsibility initiatives to gain favour with public health authorities. This undermines tobacco control laws and encourages more people to take up tobacco consumption,” he added.

While acknowledging the increase in tobacco control funding in the 2024 budget—from N4.7m in 2023 to N10m—CAPPA argued that this allocation remains insufficient. The group outlined several key areas where additional funding is necessary to strengthen tobacco control efforts.

Oluwafemi explained that a significant portion of the current funds is spent on operational costs, particularly for the National Tobacco Control Committee, which is required to meet at least four times annually, as stipulated by the NTCA. However, the current budget allocation falls short of covering these essential costs, leaving little room for other critical activities.

“Operational costs consume a large portion of the funds. The NTCC requires substantial financing for its meetings, which should occur at least four times annually. The current allocation is inadequate, leaving virtually no financial room for these activities,” Oluwafemi said.

He also stressed the need for robust public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of tobacco use. Such campaigns, he noted, require significant funding for media outreach and community engagement.

“Effective sensitization campaigns need robust media outreach, deep community engagement, and coordination with various stakeholders across the country. These activities require substantial funding to reach a broad audience and deliver impactful messages,” he said.

In addition, CAPPA called for more investment in alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers. Transitioning farmers to sustainable crops requires continuous investment in training programs, quality seedlings, and financial support, according to the organization.

CAPPA also urged the full operationalisation of the Tobacco Control Fund, which was established under Section 8 of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act in 2015. The fund is intended to support activities such as public health campaigns, regulatory enforcement, research on tobacco trends, and alternative livelihood programs for tobacco farmers.

However, CAPPA noted that the TCF has not yet been fully implemented, leaving critical gaps in tobacco control efforts.

“The government recognised the enormous public health risks posed by tobacco and the need for adequate financial resources to combat them,” Oluwafemi explained.

“However, the TCF has yet to be fully operationalised, leaving Nigerians vulnerable to the unchecked dangers of tobacco consumption and marketing,” he added.