Tobacco control advocates call for major increase in funding to save lives
On Tuesday, March 25, tobacco control advocates in Nigeria pressed the federal government to significantly increase funding for the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF), which is currently allocated just N13 million in the 2025 national budget.
These advocates argue that a larger investment is crucial for protecting public health and combating the harmful effects of tobacco use across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) emphasized the urgent need for more funding to counter the growing influence of the tobacco industry. Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, called on the government to allocate at least N300 million to the TCF, highlighting that the lives of Nigerians are at risk from the dangers of tobacco use.
He criticized the government’s slow action on tobacco funding while the tobacco industry is aggressively promoting newer and more “stylish” products, such as e-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and oral nicotine pouches, which it falsely markets as “safer” than traditional tobacco.
“These products are targeting our youth, who are vulnerable to the tobacco industry’s manipulative marketing, aiming to replace those whose lives are destroyed by tobacco-related diseases,” Oluwafemi stated.
About the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF)
The Tobacco Control Fund was established under the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), 2015 to fight the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. The TCF is funded through national budget appropriations, fines from tobacco law violations, and contributions from development bodies focused on tobacco control.
This fund supports key tobacco control initiatives, including health promotion, enforcement of tobacco regulations, and education programs. However, the advocates argue that the N13 million allocated for 2025 is far too little, given the size of the problem and the industry’s influence.
Calls for transparency and accountability
Olawale Makanjuola, the Alliance Coordinator for NTCA, emphasized the importance of transparency in managing the TCF. He cautioned that simply increasing the budget without ensuring effective utilization would be counterproductive. He urged the Federal Ministry of Health to provide regular updates on the status of the fund, including its balance and details of how the funds are spent.
The cost of inaction
Michael Olaniyan, the Country Coordinator for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, warned that every day Nigeria delays proper funding for tobacco control, more lives are lost. He highlighted how tobacco marketing, especially targeting young people, puts Nigeria’s health system under strain and worsens the impact of preventable diseases.
“The cost of inaction is seen in cancer wards filled with the young and a future stolen by addiction and death,” Olaniyan said.
The global tobacco crisis
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, contributing to various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and lung diseases. WHO reports that tobacco kills up to half of its users, with more than eight million deaths annually, including those caused by second-hand smoke exposure.
In Nigeria, the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) revealed that 5.6% of Nigerians aged 15 and above currently use tobacco products, with around 3.9% (approximately 3.1 million) being smokers. Exposure to second-hand smoke remains high, especially in public spaces such as bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, where the prevalence of second-hand smoke exposure is substantial.
Tobacco control advocates are now calling on the government to take immediate action by increasing funding for the Tobacco Control Fund, as a step toward preventing further harm from tobacco use and saving lives across Nigeria.
