Nigerian youth are increasingly exposed to e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other emerging tobacco products, experts warned on Thursday at the launch of the report "The New Smoke Trap".
Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, President and CEO of global public health organization Vital Strategies, said the products are being marketed not to help adult smokers quit, but to recruit a new generation of users.
“These products are targeting our youth to secure the future of the industry. Nigeria has over 70 percent of its population under 30, and this is precisely the market the tobacco industry is chasing,” Etiebet said.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), said the report moves the debate on nicotine in Nigeria from speculation to evidence.
Research conducted in Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja documented 781 nicotine and tobacco-related products, with 573 categorized as new-generation items, including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products.
The report warns that regulatory gaps, especially online, are being exploited to normalize nicotine use among young people.
It calls for stronger regulation of all nicotine products, including synthetic and heated tobacco, and urges government agencies to harmonize policies to prevent loopholes.
“Many countries, including Bangladesh, Mexico, and the Maldives, are already taking decisive steps to regulate these products.
Nigeria has the opportunity to lead in Africa by prioritizing health over industry interests,” Etiebet said.
Experts also highlighted the public health risks posed by these products.
Nicotine use contributes to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, while increasing healthcare costs and reducing workforce productivity.
The report recommends stricter marketing controls, age verification for online sales, and public education campaigns to protect Nigerian youth and prevent a new cycle of nicotine addiction.
Recommendations: The report calls for:
- Expanding regulatory oversight to all nicotine products, not just tobacco-based ones.
- Integrating emerging products into excise tax frameworks.
- Strengthening cross-agency coordination across health, trade, standards, and digital marketplaces.
- Closing advertising and promotional loopholes targeting youth.
- Revitalizing public education on nicotine risks.
Experts warn that without immediate action, youth uptake of new nicotine products could escalate sharply, reversing hard-won tobacco control gains.
