The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to increase funding for Nigeria’s Tobacco Control Fund to N100 million in the 2025 budget to enhance its effectiveness.
This appeal was made following a motion moved during Wednesday’s plenary by Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency of Cross River State.
Highlighting the critical need for increased funding, Akiba referenced Section 8 of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015, which mandates funding for the National Tobacco Control Committee to ensure compliance with the Act.
“While the government has doubled the fund’s allocation from N4.7 million to N10 million in the 2024 budget, this amount remains grossly insufficient to address the challenges of tobacco control in Nigeria,” Akiba said.
The lawmaker emphasized the health and economic impacts of tobacco consumption, citing alarming statistics.
“Tobacco kills nearly 30,000 Nigerians annually, shortens life expectancy by a decade, and contributes to preventable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory illnesses,” he noted.
“Cigarette smoke contains 7,000 chemicals, of which 70 are known carcinogens. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.”
Akiba also drew attention to the risks posed by secondhand smoke, stating, “Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart attacks in non-smokers by 60% and lung cancer by 30%.”
He stressed the need for the Tobacco Control Fund to be well-resourced to empower relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Health, to enforce anti-smoking laws, restrict advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products, and combat the public health risks associated with tobacco use.
“An adequately funded Tobacco Control Fund would reduce reliance on international donors and ensure effective implementation of Nigeria’s tobacco control policies,” Akiba argued.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, urged the Federal Ministry of Health to provide detailed updates on the fund’s status, including its balance, sources of funding, and past expenditures.
