Tobacco: Cancer Society Calls For Stronger Action Against Nicotine Addiction

The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has canvassed stronger national measures to combat tobacco use and nicotine addiction.

It warned that deceptive marketing strategies by the tobacco industry are increasingly targeting young people and exposing them to serious health risks.

The president and chief executive officer of NCS, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, made the call in a statement in commemoration of  the 2026 World No Tobacco Day, themed, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”

Omonisi expressed concern over the growing exposure of Nigerian youths to tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, which are often marketed as modern, harmless, or socially attractive.

He said such products pose significant health risks and contribute to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory illnesses, and mental health disorders.

The NCS noted that tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer and premature deaths globally, with strong links to several forms of cancer, including lung, oral, throat, cervical, pancreatic, bladder, and liver cancers.

Prof. Omonisi said the tobacco industry continues to deploy new tactics to attract young users through appealing packaging, flavored nicotine products, digital marketing, and misinformation campaigns.

“The tobacco industry continues to design new ways of targeting young people through attractive packaging, flavored nicotine products, digital marketing, and misinformation. We must unmask these deceptive tactics and strengthen efforts towards prevention, regulation, awareness creation, and cessation support,” he said.

He urged the federal government, policymakers, healthcare institutions, civil society organizations, educators, parents, community leaders, and the media to intensify efforts aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and preventing nicotine addiction.

Among its recommendations are the full implementation and enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Act, stronger regulation of emerging nicotine and tobacco products, increased public awareness campaigns, protection of children and youths from tobacco industry influence, expansion of smoking cessation services, higher taxation on tobacco products, and greater investment in cancer prevention programmes.

He also reaffirmed NCS support for the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and other evidence-based policies designed to protect public health.

The Society stressed that preventing tobacco use remains one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases in the country.

As part of its efforts to promote healthy lifestyles among young Nigerians,  NCS disclosed that it recently established the Youth Coalition Against Cancer (YOCAC), a youth-led platform aimed at training young people on healthy behaviours and empowering them to serve as peer educators and positive influencers in their communities.

The Society called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to reject tobacco and nicotine addiction and embrace healthier lifestyles, emphasizing that the fight against tobacco-related diseases requires collective action and sustained commitment from all sectors of society.