The Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to combat tobacco and nicotine addiction, warning that aggressive marketing of emerging nicotine products is placing Nigerian youths at increasing risk.
The appeal was made during a news conference held in Lagos to commemorate the 2026 World No Tobacco Day, themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”
The event was organised by the NHF in partnership with the United Nations Association of Nigeria at the foundation’s secretariat in Ikoyi.
Speaking at the event, NHF Chairperson on Tobacco Control, Prof. Olukemi Odukoya, warned that tobacco and nicotine companies continue to develop new strategies aimed at attracting children and adolescents through products presented as modern, fashionable, and less harmful.
In a statement delivered on her behalf by NHF Communications Adviser, Abiola Awe, Odukoya said stronger government intervention was necessary to prevent a new generation of Nigerians from becoming addicted to nicotine.
According to her, the tobacco industry has increasingly shifted its focus to products such as electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, synthetic nicotine devices, and shisha, often marketing them as innovative alternatives while concealing their addictive nature.
“Despite decades of progress in reducing tobacco use, the industry continues to reinvent and repackage its products to attract young users and sustain addiction,” she said.
“These tactics threaten to reverse the gains already achieved in tobacco control and public health.”
Odukoya expressed concern over the growing popularity of shisha in Nigeria, noting that weak regulation has created gaps in areas such as taxation, packaging requirements, and health warnings.
She also stressed the need for stricter enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015, particularly provisions that prohibit smoking in public places.
The NHF official highlighted alarming global statistics showing the increasing use of tobacco and nicotine products among young people.
She noted that an estimated 40 million children aged 13 to 15 worldwide currently use at least one tobacco product, including 20 million cigarette smokers and 10 million users of smokeless tobacco products.
She further revealed that approximately 15 million adolescents in the same age group use e-cigarettes, with available data indicating that children are significantly more likely than adults to engage in vaping.
According to Odukoya, the goal of the 2026 campaign is to expose industry marketing tactics and advocate stronger measures, including restrictions on flavourings, advertising, product promotion, and attractive packaging designed to appeal to young consumers
The NHF urged the Federal Government to close existing regulatory loopholes and strengthen implementation of tobacco control policies nationwide.
The foundation also called for collaboration with Nigeria’s entertainment industry, particularly Nollywood actors and filmmakers, to discourage the portrayal and promotion of tobacco use in films and television productions.
“We must work collectively to protect young people from the dangers of nicotine addiction and ensure that tobacco products are not normalised through entertainment and media content,” Odukoya said.
She commended the media for supporting tobacco control advocacy and promoting healthier lifestyles among Nigerians, reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors across the country
Also speaking, President of the United Nations Association of Nigeria, Prof. Oluremi Olutimo, stressed the importance of government regulation, public education, advocacy, and parental involvement in addressing nicotine addiction.
“The appeal of tobacco and nicotine products has been carefully designed and marketed,” he said.
“By exposing these tactics and strengthening public health interventions, we can prevent addiction before it begins and provide support for those seeking to quit.”
Olutimo called for stricter enforcement of tobacco control regulations and the promotion of tobacco-free environments in schools, homes, and communities.
He also encouraged parents and caregivers to engage young people in discussions about the health risks associated with tobacco and nicotine use.
As the world marks World No Tobacco Day 2026, stakeholders renewed calls for stronger policies, increased public awareness, and coordinated efforts to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products.
The Nigerian Heart Foundation, an affiliate of the World Heart Federation, has been at the forefront of advocacy for healthier lifestyles and played a key role in efforts that led to the enactment of Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act in 2015.
