The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the Federal Government to adopt stronger tobacco control measures to curb the growing health and economic burden of tobacco use in the country.
Speaking during a press briefing to mark the 2026 World No Tobacco Day, National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue bold regulatory and policy reforms, including measures capable of eliminating nicotine from tobacco products or imposing stricter restrictions on tobacco consumption.
Ezeh described tobacco as one of the most dangerous consumer products ever created, noting that it remains a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide.
According to him, tobacco use claims more than eight million lives globally every year, including about 1.3 million deaths linked to exposure to second-hand smoke.
The ACPN Chairman disclosed that tobacco-related diseases account for between 26,000 and 28,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, placing enormous pressure on the nation’s healthcare system and economic productivity.
He expressed concern over the increasing use of tobacco and nicotine products among young people, citing global estimates that about 40 million children between the ages of 13 and 15 currently use at least one tobacco product.
Ezeh accused tobacco companies of targeting youths through attractive flavours, deceptive packaging, aggressive branding, and sophisticated marketing strategies designed to encourage nicotine addiction.
“The tobacco industry continues to target young people through carefully crafted campaigns designed to make harmful products appear attractive and harmless. This is creating a new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals,” he said.
The ACPN leader also raised concerns about the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes and other nicotine delivery systems, warning that many of the products are marketed as safer alternatives while sustaining nicotine dependence and attracting new users.
Speaking on the theme of the 2026 World No Tobacco Day, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” Ezeh said the campaign highlights the tactics used by tobacco companies and reinforces the need for governments and public health stakeholders to confront nicotine addiction more aggressively.
He noted that while Nigeria has enacted tobacco control laws and regulatory frameworks, weak enforcement has continued to limit their effectiveness.
According to him, the persistent prevalence of tobacco use in the country suggests that current interventions have not achieved the desired results.
“The continued prevalence of tobacco consumption demonstrates that our current interventions have not delivered the desired outcomes. Government complacency in addressing this epidemic only benefits the tobacco industry while thousands of Nigerians continue to lose their lives annually,” he stated.
Ezeh called for stronger legislative and regulatory actions capable of significantly reducing the addictive potential of tobacco products and limiting their availability.
“A strong policy that eliminates nicotine from tobacco products or an outright ban on tobacco will permanently address many of these avoidable health hazards,” he said.
He emphasized that tobacco has no proven therapeutic value and remains a major risk factor for several life-threatening conditions, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and other chronic health disorders.
Beyond the health implications, the ACPN Chairman said tobacco use continues to impose a significant economic burden on Nigeria.
He disclosed that smoking-related illnesses cost the country an estimated ₦634 billion annually through healthcare expenditures and productivity losses.
“This is a burden that Nigeria can no longer sustain. Every year, families are devastated, healthcare systems are stretched, and economic productivity is undermined because of diseases caused by tobacco use,” he added.
Ezeh urged the Federal Government to strengthen enforcement of existing tobacco control laws, intensify public awareness campaigns, and implement evidence-based reforms aimed at protecting current and future generations from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
He also called on healthcare professionals, civil society groups, policymakers, and citizens to unite in the fight against tobacco use and support efforts to build a healthier, tobacco-free Nigeria.
The ACPN Chairman expressed optimism that with stronger political will, effective regulation, and sustained public education, Nigeria can significantly reduce tobacco consumption and its associated health and economic consequences.
Reporting By Niran Odufayo