Tobacco Costs Nigeria N634bn, Claims 28,000 Lives Yearly — Pharmacists

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised concerns over the enormous health and economic burden of tobacco use in the country.

The group claimed that smoking-related diseases cost Nigeria an estimated N634 billion annually and are responsible for up to 28,000 deaths every year.

The national chairman of ACPN, Ambrose Ezeh, stated this while commemorating the 2026 World No Tobacco Day, observed globally on May 31.

Ezeh described tobacco as one of the deadliest consumer products ever created, warning that its devastating impact extends beyond public health to economic productivity, healthcare spending and the wellbeing of families across the country.

He said tobacco-related illnesses account for between 26,000 and 28,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, creating a significant public health challenge and placing immense pressure on the nation’s healthcare system.

He noted that smoking-attributable diseases cost the country about N634 billion every year through healthcare expenditures and productivity losses.

““This is a burden that Nigeria can no longer sustain. Every year, families are devastated, healthcare systems are stretched and economic productivity is undermined because of diseases caused by tobacco use,” he noted.

The ACPN chairman warned that despite existing tobacco control laws and regulatory frameworks, tobacco consumption remains prevalent, suggesting that current interventions have not produced the desired outcomes.

He called on the federal government to adopt stronger and more decisive tobacco control measures, including policies aimed at reducing the addictive potential of tobacco products and tightening restrictions on their availability and use.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” Ezeh said the campaign highlights the tactics employed by tobacco companies to attract and retain users, particularly young people.

He expressed concern over the growing prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use among youths, citing global estimates that about 40 million children aged 13 to 15 years currently use at least one tobacco product.

According to him, tobacco manufacturers continue to target young people through attractive flavours, deceptive packaging, aggressive branding and sophisticated marketing campaigns designed to lure them into nicotine addiction.

Ezeh also raised concerns over the increasing promotion of e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery systems, noting that while they are often marketed as safer alternatives, they sustain nicotine dependence and encourage new users to take up smoking-related products.

He emphasised that tobacco offers no proven therapeutic or medicinal benefit and remains a major risk factor for several life-threatening diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders and other chronic health conditions.

He urged the federal government to strengthen tobacco control policies, intensify enforcement of existing laws and implement bold reforms capable of protecting present and future generations from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.

Ezeh expressed optimism that stronger political commitment, effective enforcement and sustained public awareness campaigns could significantly reduce tobacco consumption and its devastating consequences on public health and the economy.