Over 300 Nigerians, led by a coalition of mothers and public health advocates, have signed a petition calling for urgent government intervention to tackle the rising use of e-cigarettes and flavoured vapes among Nigerian teenagers.
The petition, titled “Keep Vapes Away from Nigerian Kids”, is part of this year’s World No Tobacco Day campaign and is directed at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The group is demanding that the FCCPC issue regulatory guidelines to curb the widespread access and marketing of these products to minors or face sanctions for inaction.
At a press conference organised in Abuja by Voices for Tobacco Control, a civic group made up of concerned parents and public health advocates, on Tuesday, speakers decried the growing trend of underage vaping, blaming tobacco companies for targeting children through appealing packaging and sweet flavours like mango, mint, and strawberry.
Highlighting the scale of the problem, the group cited research showing that five million Nigerian youths are addicted to smoking, with 25,000 new smokers emerging daily, including children as young as 10 years old.
“Despite their attractive appearance, these products are far from safe. They contain harmful substances like nicotine and formaldehyde that increase the risk of heart and lung disease,” said Kenneth Kenas Anetor of Voices for Tobacco Control.
Also, the President of the Kwara State chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nimat Labaika, issued a strong warning: “Tobacco companies want to stay in business and will do whatever it takes, including selling to children. If we don’t act now, we risk losing our future leaders.”
Speakers at the event called attention to regulatory gaps, noting that while Nigerian law prohibits the sale of tobacco to individuals under 18, enforcement is weak, and guidelines on newer products like vapes and e-cigarettes remain unclear.
“I believe the FCCPC should be sanctioned for failing to protect our children. They must enforce existing laws and develop new regulations to keep these harmful products out of children’s reach,” Anetor said.
The campaign also flagged the increasing accessibility of shisha and other flavoured tobacco products, noting that minors can still buy them with ease, despite legal age restrictions.
