The United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNA -Nigeria) and Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF) have condemned tobacco and nicotine companies for continuously targeting young people with addictive products through attractive packaging, flavors, and digital advertising.
The organisations made the statement at a press briefing they organised in Lagos to commemorate “World No Tobacco Day” 2026. The event was held under the theme, ‘Unmasking the appeal: Countering industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine.’
Speaking at the briefing, President, UNA-Nigeria, Oluremi Olutimo, regretted that while great progress has been made in reducing tobacco use globally, the tobacco and nicotine companies have shifted their strategies.
According to Olutimo who is also a professor: “New products, such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products, and synthetic nicotine devices, are increasingly being advertised as modern, innovative, or less dangerous substitutes.
“Many of these products are designed to perpetuate nicotine dependence and recruit new users, primarily teens and young adults.”
Aside from the health consequences, UNAN-Nigeria president stated that tobacco smoking causes economic hardship, higher healthcare expenditures, lower productivity, and unnecessary suffering in families and communities.
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He further said: “Nicotine addiction has an impact on teenage brain development, increases the likelihood of continuing tobacco use, and can lead to long-term cardiovascular and respiratory health issues.
“Evidence also suggests young people who use e-cigarettes may be more prone to start smoking traditional cigarettes later”.
He recalled that in 2025, UNA-Nigeria, organised the inaugural World No Tobacco Day Inter-School Debate Competition which according to him brought together over 20 schools from across Lagos State in a hybrid format that challenged students to engage critically with issues of tobacco control, public health advocacy, and youth protection.
The competition, he said was a landmark success, sparking student-led discourse on one of the most urgent public health crises.
“This year’s campaign seeks to educate and sensitise secondary school students across Nigeria, and Africa on the dangers of tobacco, nicotine, and emerging addictive products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and synthetic nicotine devices. It would expose industry tactics that encourage nicotine and tobacco use among young people”, he said.
Speaking also, Chairman of the 2026 World No Tobacco Day Committee and Chairman, Education and Capacity Building of UNAN, Ephraim Abutu, expressed concerns over balloon parties, where teenagers allegedly inhale substances through balloons.
To him, many parents remain unaware of dangerous trends exposing children to addiction and substance abuse
“We are losing many young people gradually because these companies are targeting them aggressively. Parents must pay attention to what their children are exposed to online and socially,” he said.
Other stakeholders also blamed weak enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Act, poor parental supervision and the glamorisation of smoking by entertainers and influencers for the growing addiction crisis among Nigerian youths.
Also speaking, a member of the United Nations Association of Nigeria, Charity Adeyemi, stressed the need for parents to monitor the activities of their children both in the home and at school.
The Nigerian Heart Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting tobacco control efforts and promoting healthy lifestyles through partnerships with government agencies, schools, civil society groups and the media.
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