By Reportcircle Abuja
Nigeria took centre stage in Geneva on Monday, unveiling sweeping gains in tobacco control that signal one of the country’s most aggressive public-health offensives in years complete with a blistering $110 million penalty against British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) and fresh data revealing a dramatic fall in smoking rates.
At the Eleventh Session of the Conference of Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, delivered what could be Nigeria’s most emphatic declaration yet: the country is tightening its grip on the tobacco industry and accelerating its march toward a tobacco-free future.
For the first time since 2012, Nigeria has completed the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2025), and the findings are striking.
Daily tobacco use among adults has fallen sharply, driven by policy reforms, intensified enforcement, and broad-based public awareness efforts.
One standout metric: the share of smokers considering quitting due to graphic health warnings has jumped from 26.7% in 2012 to 43.3% in 2025.
Exposure to second-hand smoke at home and in public places is also on a clear downward trajectory.
Dr. Salako credited the turnaround to toughened regulations and a growing culture of accountability around public health.
Nigeria’s latest reforms include three new multi-year frameworks aimed at fast-tracking implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and its Regulations (2018):
National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan of Action (2024–2028)
National Tobacco Control Communication Strategy (2024–2028)
National Tobacco Control Enforcement Plan (2024–2028)
Together, these instruments are designed to strengthen surveillance, boost compliance, and deepen collaboration across sectors.
But the biggest headline-grabber was Nigeria’s bold move against one of the world’s most powerful tobacco players.
In what Dr. Salako called “one of the most consequential global applications of Article 19” on tobacco industry liability, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) hit BATN with a $110 million fine for multiple violations of Nigeria’s tobacco control laws and other consumer-protection regulations.
“This action sends a strong message that the tobacco industry must bear responsibility for actions that undermine public health,” the minister declared drawing quiet nods from delegates gathered in Geneva.
Another pivotal development came from the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), which has imposed a full ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) across films, music videos, television, and digital platforms.
As home to Nollywood, one of the world’s biggest film industries, and a powerhouse in African music, Nigeria’s new rules have global implications.
Dr. Salako described the move as “bold and historic,” aligning Nigeria squarely with Article 13 of the WHO FCTC and delivering a direct blow to the subtle, image-driven marketing tactics that have long fuelled youth smoking.
Against the backdrop of the COP11 theme, “Healthy planet, healthy future: uniting for a tobacco-free generation,” Nigeria’s statement framed the 20th anniversary of the WHO FCTC as a decisive moment for strengthening global resolve against non-communicable diseases and the environmental devastation caused by tobacco cultivation and waste.
Yet Dr. Salako also acknowledged the persistent headwinds—enforcement gaps at the state level, the rise of new nicotine products, and ongoing industry interference.
Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed that Nigeria “remains unwaveringly committed” to the WHO FCTC and will continue deepening global cooperation, technical partnership, and knowledge-sharing.
As delegates returned to the negotiation halls, Nigeria’s message reverberated clearly: the era of unchecked tobacco influence is ending and the country is prepared to enforce that shift with data, regulation, and, when necessary, nine-figure penalties.
