Tobacco Act Amendment Bill: CAPPA Seeks Transparency Through Legislative Records
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has formally requested the Nigerian Senate to disclose comprehensive legislative records related to the proposed amendments to the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This move follows widespread concerns among public health advocates that the proposed changes could weaken Nigeria’s existing tobacco-control protections.
The FOI request, dated August 13 and addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, aims to shed light on the legislative history of the Bill. CAPPA emphasizes the importance of transparency in the lawmaking process, especially given the community’s apprehensions about provisions that may undermine public health safeguards.
CAPPA’s request includes certified copies of the Votes and Proceedings from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, detailing every stage of the Bill’s consideration—from first and second readings to committee referral, report consideration, third reading, and passage. It also seeks information on the dates of each legislative step, the names and constituencies of sponsors and co-sponsors, records of votes or divisions, committee reports, public hearing details, stakeholder submissions, and the Bill’s current status, including whether it has been transmitted for presidential assent.
The move comes shortly after the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community—comprising over 100 civil society organizations, public health advocates, and tobacco-control stakeholders—rejected the amendments and called for the Bill’s immediate recall. During a press briefing in Abuja on August 9, the coalition warned that the proposed legislation could weaken vital safeguards introduced under the NTCA 2015, particularly concerning non-combustible nicotine products, advertising, online sales, point-of-sale promotion, product sampling, packaging, and penalties.
The coalition questioned the legislative process behind some provisions, noting that controversial clauses were not present during the public hearing held on November 22, 2024. They are demanding transparency on how these provisions were introduced into the consolidated Bill and who reviewed them.
“This request is made in the interest of promoting public health, accountability, and transparency,” CAPPA stated in its letter, invoking Sections 1(1), 2(3)(f), and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. The organization requests that the records be provided within the statutory seven-day period, either electronically or as certified physical copies.
The groups expressed concern that the amendments could enable tobacco and nicotine companies to exploit loopholes, especially in digital and youth-targeted marketing. They argue that provisions allowing promotion through adult publications, online platforms, and event sponsorship could inadvertently expose Nigeria’s large youth population to tobacco marketing.
The coalition has called for the immediate recall of the Bill and demands a transparent, public health-led review process, emphasizing that updates to tobacco legislation should strengthen Nigeria’s protections against tobacco-related diseases and nicotine addiction, not weaken them.
As stakeholders continue to scrutinize the proposed amendments, the push for accountability underscores the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s public health interests amidst evolving tobacco industry strategies.
