The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to increase the budgetary allocation of the Nigeria Tobacco Control from last year’s budget of N10 million to N100 million in the 2025 budget estimates to enable it to carry out its statutory functions effectively.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to provide an update on the status of the Tobacco Control Fund, particularly detailing its current balance, sources of money, and previous spending.
This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by the member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani federal constituency of Cross River state, Hon. Bassey Akiba, at plenary on Wednesday.
Moving the motion, Akiba said Section 8 of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 provided that there shall be funding for
The National Tobacco Control Committee will enforce compliance with the provisions of the Act.
Such a fund shall consist of monies from the budgetary allocation, government subventions, and/or donations from organisations whose mandates do not conflict with the provisions of the Act.
He said the federal government recently doubled its financial commitment to the Tobacco Control Fund from N4.7 million to N10 million in the 2024 budget but the amount was insufficient to meet the needs of the under-resourced Tobacco Control Fund, domiciled under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The lawmaker said Tobacco control was a government priority due to its significant impact on preventable.
death, including cancer, and its annual economic cost, adding that it kills nearly 30 thousand Nigerians annually and shortens life expectancy by ten years, increasing cardiovascular disease and stroke risks.
Akiba expressed worry that: “Cigarette smoke contains 7,000 chemicals, and about 70 of them cause cancer. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke increases heart attack risk in non-smokers by 60% and lung cancer risk by 30%; there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.
“With the fund, the National Tobacco and other ministries and agencies responsible for the enforcement of the Act would be equipped to enforce the prohibition of smoking in public places to advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products, graphic and pictorial health warning signs, and access to tobacco products for persons below the age of 18.
“The Agencies have been going about to ensure that tobacco companies comply with the graphic health warning signs as provided by the Act. The budgetary allocation for tobacco control will address the needs of those government agencies so as not to depend on international donors, local NGOs, and the tobacco industry players.
“With Nigeria’s frail health system, there is a need to prioritise financing and control measures to prevent tobacco-related diseases, as consumption is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases like respiratory illness, cardiovascular disorder, and cancer.
“Cognisant of the need for the Nigerian government to review tobacco control funding, earmarked from tobacco company taxes, and demonstrate genuine commitment to a sustainable approach in low-and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
“Also cognisant of the need to increase the budgetary allocation of Nigeria’s Tobacco Control Fund to
100 million Naira to save lives and reduce healthcare expenses.”
The House, on adopting the motion, urged the Federal Ministry of Health to enforce compliance by tobacco companies and mandated its Committees on Healthcare Services, Appropriation, and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.