COP11: Minister Hails Nigeria’s Progress in Tobacco Control

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako

Nigeria has recorded significant gains in tobacco control over the past decade, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said on Monday at the ongoing 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

Speaking during the high-level segment of the global meeting, Dr. Salako said the country had made “remarkable progress” since 2012, citing new national data and strengthened regulatory actions that have contributed to a continued decline in adult tobacco use.

More than 1,400 delegates from governments, international organisations and civil society are attending COP11 in Geneva to review 20 years of implementation of the WHO FCTC and discuss measures to reduce tobacco use, which kills over seven million people annually. 

Representatives from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) were among civil society participants at the meeting.

Dr. Salako said Nigeria’s progress was supported by the completion of the second round of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2025), which shows further reduction in daily tobacco use compared with earlier surveys. 

He noted that the impact of graphic health warnings had also increased, with the proportion of smokers who considered quitting rising from 26.7 percent in 2012 to 43.3 percent in 2025.

“Exposure to secondhand smoke has significantly declined in homes, government buildings, restaurants, public transportation, tertiary institutions and schools,” he added.

The minister said the Federal Government had introduced several strategic documents to boost implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and its 2019 regulations. These include the National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan of Action (2024–2028), Communication Strategy (2024–2028), and Enforcement Plan (2024–2028), all designed to strengthen coordination across sectors.

Dr. Salako highlighted Nigeria’s recent application of Article 19 of the WHO FCTC, which encourages Parties to hold the tobacco industry legally accountable for actions undermining public health. 

He pointed to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) $110 million fine imposed on British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) for multiple violations of national tobacco control laws.

“This represents one of the most significant applications of Article 19 globally and sends a strong message that the tobacco industry must bear responsibility for its actions,” he said.

He also cited new regulations by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship across films, television, music videos and digital media, an action he said supports Article 13 of the WHO FCTC.

Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged persistent challenges, including tobacco industry interference, weak enforcement at subnational levels, and the rise of new nicotine and tobacco products. 

He called for stronger global cooperation and technical support to help countries, especially developing nations, address these emerging threats.

Alongside the opening session, a ministerial roundtable hosted by the Government of Belgium focused on rising nicotine addiction among young people and the proliferation of e-cigarettes and other new products.

Andrew Black, Acting Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, said COP11 would consider forward-looking measures on tobacco control, environmental protection and reducing nicotine addiction, and called for strengthened international cooperation.

COP11, themed “20 years of change – uniting generations for a tobacco-free future,” will be followed by the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products from November 24 to 26.