The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Nigerian government to raise tobacco taxes to 100 per cent, stating that such a policy could save thousands of lives annually while reducing healthcare and productivity losses by at least N526 billion.
In a statement issued by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA expressed deep concern over the growing promotion and consumption of both traditional and emerging tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes, particularly among Nigerian youth.
The organisation emphasised that tobacco use remains a leading cause of chronic health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and even congenital disabilities, highlighting the urgent need for stronger fiscal and regulatory measures to curb its spread.
Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) findings, CAPPA emphasised that tobacco consumption is linked to a wide range of health issues and premature deaths.
According to the Nigerian Tobacco Control Data Initiative, over 90 per cent of tobacco production occurs in developing countries like Nigeria, which suffer environmental and health consequences, while developed nations reap the profits.
As of 2018, Nigerians reportedly consumed over 20 billion cigarettes annually, with tobacco-related diseases claiming nearly 30,000 lives each year.
CAPPA, referencing a study by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), revealed that Nigeria spent N526.4 billion treating tobacco-induced illnesses in 2019 alone.
Despite the federal government proposing a 50 per cent tobacco tax hike in 2023, the existing mixed excise system remains unchanged.
Currently, the structure includes a 30% ad valorem tax on production costs, a N84 specific tax per cigarette pack, and a shisha tax of N3,000 per litre or N1,000 per kilogram, increasing by N500 annually.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, accused the tobacco industry of aggressively targeting young Nigerians with misleading “harm reduction” strategies. He warned that the industry aims to create a new generation of addicts while continuing to undermine public health.
