CAPPA Chooses Tax Increase On Tobacco For Child Protection Over Calls For Crackdown On Illicit Trade

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a non-profit organisation, has urged the government to raise tobacco taxes to control tobacco use among children in the country.

CAPPA said that highly taxed tobacco would increase the cost, making it unaffordable for children and, as a result, reduce intake.

The CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, disclosed this on Thursday at an event themed “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference,” marking the 2024 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).

At the event, Oluwafemi underscored the government’s crucial role in this fight, urging them to step up their efforts at all levels to enforce the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and the National Tobacco Regulation 2019.

According to him, the enforcement of these acts would ensure the protection of children from tobacco addiction and its health implications.

Those provisions in the Tobacco Act that protect the youth include the ban of tobacco advertisement, sponsorship and promotion, a ban on the sale of tobacco to, or by minors, and smoke-free public places, among others, he said.

He added that in addition to those measures, tobacco taxes must be raised to be priced beyond the reach of children, and tobacco products must be banned from being sold around schools and educational institutions.

Meanwhile, he commended the Nigerian Films and Censors Board (NFVCB) for introducing  regulations to end the glamorisation of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian movies and films.

What You Need To Know

This is not the first time the Nigerian government has been tasked with implementing a new tax on tobacco products.

The tax rate, which took effect on June 1st, 2022, was from 10 (N58) to 20 per cent (84) per pack of 20 sticks.

According to the Tobacco Control Data Initiative, it increased to N94 in 2023 and is most likely to be N104 in 2024.

Essentially, the pro-health tax increase on tobacco seems abortive in curbing its excess consumption. Yet, it remains the second leading cause of cardiovascular diseases after high blood pressure.

The part of avoidance of both government and NGOs, which is the recognised solution to cigarette or nicotine addiction, remains illicit tobacco trade.

Read; Zambia’s Former First Lady Arrested For Money Laundering

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