Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised concern over the growing spread of nicotine and tobacco products in Nigeria, warning that aggressive marketing, flavoured products, and weak regulation are increasing addiction risks, especially among young people.
The advocacy group called for stronger government action, tighter enforcement, and greater public awareness to counter what it described as the evolving tactics of the tobacco industry.
Speaking during activities marking World No Tobacco Day, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the tobacco industry has moved beyond traditional cigarettes to newer nicotine products such as vapes, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches.
According to him, these products are often promoted as cleaner, safer, or more socially acceptable alternatives despite concerns about their health implications and addictive nature.
He warned that many of the products are deliberately designed to appeal to younger consumers through colourful packaging, sweet flavours, compact designs, and lifestyle driven marketing.
CAPPA noted that products flavoured as mango, mint, bubble gum, vanilla, candy, and strawberry are increasingly being used to attract first time users and lower resistance to nicotine consumption.
The organisation urged the Federal Government, lawmakers, health authorities, and regulatory agencies to go beyond taxation and adopt stricter measures aimed at reducing the visibility, accessibility, and appeal of nicotine products.
Among the measures proposed are stronger restrictions on advertising and digital promotions, prohibition of youth focused packaging and designs, tighter controls on sales to minors, broader regulation of emerging nicotine products, and stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws.
CAPPA also expressed concern over the growing normalisation of smoking and nicotine use through culture, entertainment, nightlife, and social media content.
The group warned that portraying smoking as fashionable, prestigious, or associated with success could weaken public health gains and expose more young Nigerians to addiction.
Medical practitioner and public health expert, Dr. Goke Akinrogunde, also called for a shift in how nicotine dependence is handled within the healthcare system.
He said nicotine addiction should be treated as a medical disorder in the same way healthcare providers manage chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
According to him, healthcare workers should routinely ask patients about tobacco and nicotine use and ensure that addiction is identified and treated as a health condition requiring proper intervention.
Dr. Goke noted that while traditional tobacco consumption patterns may be changing, nicotine use remains a major concern due to the rise of new and emerging products.
CAPPA further called on media practitioners to exercise caution in the portrayal of tobacco and nicotine use, warning against presenting such products as lifestyle trends or harmless consumer innovations.
The organisation maintained that protecting children and young people from nicotine addiction requires coordinated action involving government institutions, healthcare professionals, parents, educators, journalists, and communities.
It stressed that urgent action is needed to prevent Nigeria from becoming a wider market for emerging nicotine products and to safeguard public health.
