Federal Government Plans to Increase Excise Tax on Tobacco Products to Control Smoking in Nigeria

The Nigerian Federal Government is set to increase the excise tax on tobacco products from 30% to 50% in a bid to control smoking in the country. Dr. Mangai Malau, Head of the Tobacco Control Unit, Noncommunicable Disease Division, Federal Ministry of Health, made the announcement at the National Tobacco Control Budget Advocates Meeting in Abuja.

Malau said that funding for tobacco control must come from taxation and relevant stakeholders should apply tax measures correctly to address the issue of tobacco control in Nigeria. The National Tobacco Control Act provides for the Tobacco Control Fund which shall be used to fund tobacco control activities, programs, and projects.

Civil Society Organizations have been urged to advocate for more budgetary allocations for tobacco control in Nigeria.