The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the Nigerian Government to strengthen tobacco control measures and consider more decisive policies to curb its consumption.
The Association warned that tobacco-related illnesses are responsible for between 26,000 and 28,000 deaths annually in the country.
The National Chairman of ACPN, Ambrose Ezeh, made the call during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World No Tobacco Day.
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He described tobacco as one of the deadliest consumer products ever created and a major contributor to preventable deaths worldwide.
“The annual observance serves as a reminder of the urgent need for governments, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and citizens to intensify efforts to combat the tobacco epidemic and protect populations from its devastating health consequences,” he said.
According to him, tobacco kills up to half of its long-term users and is responsible for more than eight million deaths globally every year, including about 1.3 million non-smokers who die from exposure to second-hand smoke.
“Tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, it kills up to half of its long-term users and is responsible for more than eight million deaths globally every year, including approximately 1.3 million non-smokers who die from exposure to second-hand smoke,” he stated.
The ACPN Chairman expressed concern over the growing use of tobacco and nicotine products among young people, noting that an estimated 40 million children aged 13 to 15 years worldwide currently use at least one tobacco product.
He accused tobacco manufacturers of targeting young people through attractive flavours, deceptive packaging and aggressive marketing strategies designed to promote nicotine addiction.
“The tobacco industry continues to target young people through carefully crafted campaigns designed to make harmful products appear attractive and harmless, this is creating a new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals,” Ezeh warned.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” he said the campaign highlights the tactics employed by tobacco companies and underscores the need to tackle nicotine dependence at its source.
Weak Enforcement
He further noted that despite existing tobacco control laws in Nigeria, weak enforcement has limited their effectiveness.
Ezeh argued that stronger scientific, legislative and regulatory measures are needed to reduce the addictive potential of tobacco products.
“A strong policy that eliminates nicotine from tobacco products or an outright ban on tobacco will permanently address many of these avoidable health hazards,” Ezeh noted.
Beyond the health implications, he described tobacco use as a significant economic burden on the country, revealing that smoking-related diseases cost Nigeria an estimated ₦634 billion annually through healthcare expenses and productivity losses.
He urged the Nigerian Government to intensify enforcement of existing laws, strengthen tobacco control policies and implement reforms that would protect present and future generations from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
“As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2026, we must recommit ourselves to protecting public health, reducing preventable deaths and building a healthier, tobacco-free Nigeria,” Ezeh said.
He called on all stakeholders to unite in the fight against tobacco addiction and support efforts to create a healthier future for Nigerians.
