Tobacco control advocacy organisations in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government, health authorities, and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action against the clandestine marketing of nicotine-based products disguised as “harm reduction education” by local tobacco industry fronts and a group from Sweden.

In a joint statement, the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Gatefield warned that the tobacco industry, through its cronies, is covertly introducing these products to Nigerian youth, including students, thus threatening to reverse years of progress in tobacco control and public health.

The statement made available to INFO DAILY by Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer, CAPPA, the groups noted that this move comes at a time when at least 43 countries have banned nicotine vaping products, and 26 others have prohibited heated tobacco products due to health concerns, unethical marketing, and the urgent need to prevent youth addiction.

“Nigeria cannot be a dumping ground for these rejected products,” the organisations declared. “The government has a duty to protect citizens from this dangerous tactic.”

They cited a recent event in Abuja organised by an industry front group posing as a “harm reduction organisation from Sweden,” describing it as a deliberate attempt by the tobacco industry to derail the full implementation of Nigeria’s tobacco control laws and worsen the country’s growing non-communicable diseases (NCD) crisis.

READ ALSO:Elections:Journalists Tasked On Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

According to media reports, the group urged Nigeria to adopt a “localised harm reduction strategy” and “learn from the Quit Like Sweden model.” While claiming to promote alternatives for smokers, the group simultaneously launched mass media campaigns marketing the products to the general public as “safer options”.

NTCA, CAPPA, and Gatefield described this as a deceptive rebranding of tobacco marketing, warning that the tobacco industry is exploiting harm-reduction rhetoric to recruit a new generation of nicotine users.

They also condemned the Swedish group’s claim that “there can never be a nicotine-free world”, calling it the clearest evidence yet that the industry is deliberately perpetuating addiction while most countries are adopting endgame tobacco strategies aimed at a nicotine-free future.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, said, “There is no safe level of nicotine. These groups are marketing nicotine pouches, vapes and heated tobacco devices as harm-reducing or safer alternatives, and that is a dangerous lie that fuels a youth addiction crisis right here at home.”

Oluwafemi cited recent World Health Organization (WHO) data showing that at least 15 million children aged 13 to 15 are already addicted to e-cigarettes, with children being nine times more likely than adults to vape.

READ ALSO:WHO Advocates Ban On Tobacco Use In Nigeria

“This is the so-called ‘smoke-free future’ the industry envisions — one that sustains a steady pipeline of young addicts to replace those killed or harmed by tobacco and nicotine products so shareholders can keep smiling to the bank,” he said.

He urged the government to adopt bold, decisive actions to eliminate youth access to nicotine products, protect children, and end the nicotine epidemic in Nigeria.

“Harm is harm; there is no safe level of poison. Any message suggesting nicotine can be safely used is a public health misstep with devastating consequences for our youth and families. Nigeria must prioritise the elimination of access and strict enforcement of comprehensive protections over any form of so-called harm reduction marketing,” he said.

Olawale Makanjuola, NTCA Alliance Coordinator, corroborated this view, stressing that the country already has a robust legal framework that, if properly implemented, can curb the spread of nicotine addiction.

READ ALSO:Cardiovascular Diseases: CSOs, Journalists Launch Action Against Trans-Fat

Makanjuola added, “We have the tools: strong taxation, comprehensive advertising bans, plain packaging, strict age verification, and well-funded cessation support. What’s needed is political will.”

“Industry-backed programmes falsely claim not to target youths, yet they simultaneously launch ‘educational’ campaigns in schools that normalise nicotine use. These are Trojan horses disguised as public health initiatives.”

Similarly, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, Health Communications, Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Gatefield, backed the call for more robust policies to protect the youth.

“The industry does not seek to eradicate tobacco and nicotine, but to dress itself in packaging that attracts its most important market, the youth. As a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Nigeria must protect public health policies from the tobacco industry’s commercial interests. We must maintain our focus on preventing initiation and ending the epidemic, not advancing nicotine addiction.”

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Fears 20% Nigerians May Die From NCDs, Moves Against Solid Fats In Foods

The statement noted that global evidence consistently shows that comprehensive tobacco control policies, not alternative product marketing, drive quitting rates and reduce tobacco use prevalence.

“Nigeria must align with global best practices and stand firm against the industry’s deceptive harm-reduction tactics. Beyond that, we must also develop home-grown public health solutions that reflect our social and local realities, not copy and paste narratives from countries where nicotine addiction is already entrenched. Nigerian youth do not need new forms of addiction disguised as lifestyle accessories,” the organisations warned.

They further urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and the general public to stay vigilant against the growing infiltration of these nicotine products into everyday spaces.

“If our public institutions and communities fail to act now, Nigeria risks importing a major public health crisis,” the statement concluded.

The Bauchi state government says it has procured 13 Portable Digital X-ray machines for Tuberculosis diagnosis worth 1.9 million dollars in the state.

Dr. Adamu Sambo, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria (BACATMA) stated this in Bauchi on Wednesday while on a facility tour to the state’s External Quality Assurance Reference Lab.

According to him, each of the 13 machines is worth over 150,000 dollars and are meant only for Tuberculosis diagnosis in the state.

“The machines are mobile. Once you provide the logistics for moving it, tests can be conducted in one particular location and then move to another location for the same mission.

READ ALSO:Foundation Engages Traditional Leaders To Curb GBV In Bauchi

“These machines can take the picture of your chests and it will immediately detect if there is tuberculosis in your chests and they are very new technology and we have 13 of them.

“Five of them had already been put on mobile conducting tests in different facilities with a lot of clients and we deployed others to other strategic locations,” he said.

Sambo explained that the machines’ images were of high resolution with less radioactive dangers to human health, saying “their exposure to radio activities is very minimal compared to other conventional machines that we have been using.”

READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

The Chairman, who noted that the number of the machines in the state were the highest in the whole Northeast, said that Gov. Bala Mohammed was willing to bring more of the machines for the people of the state.

He also explained that the Bauchi state External Quality Assurance Reference Lab of BACATMA is a place where people could come to check their HIV and tuberculosis status as well as blood group, free of charge.

He charged all intending couples to go to the lab and have all the necessary tests conducted for them before tying the knot, adding that no dime would be collected for conducting the test.

“These are some of the wonders of the state governor in the agency for the people of Bauchi state. Testing kits and consumables in this lab are provided by the Bauchi state government,” he said.

Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the Benin Unity Football Cup, a landmark grassroots football competition powered by Senator Neda Imasuen, Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District.
‎
‎The Press Conference, draws Ceremony, and official unveiling of trophies for the competition have been scheduled for Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 12:00 PM, inside the Media Center, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
‎
‎The Benin Unity Football Cup being organized by the Edo State Football Association (Edo FA) is aimed at promoting unity, community engagement, and youth empowerment as it provides a platform for local talents in Edo to showcase their footballing potentials.

READ ALSO:2027: Senator Imasuen Visits His Ward, Seeks Support For Tinubu
‎
‎The competition is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for grassroots football development in Edo South.
‎
‎The Organizing Committee, chaired by Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, has promised to deliver a well organized and impactful competition that reflects Edo’s deep-rooted football culture and heritage.
‎
‎According to Fred Newton, outstanding players discovered during the tournament will be developed and marketed to clubs both within and outside Nigeria, ensuring that promising talents are given genuine opportunities to advance their careers.

READ ALSO:Senator Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements
‎
‎Senator Neda Imasuen, renowned for his dedication to youth empowerment, described the initiative as a long-term investment in the future of young people in Edo land.
‎
‎“The Benin Unity Cup is more than a tournament; it is a statement of hope and belief in our youths,” Senator Imasuen said. “We are building a platform that will turn dreams into reality and talents into legacies.”
‎
‎The tournament is expected to feature teams from across the seven local government areas of Edo South senatorial district and as well open to male adults.
‎