A new generation of nicotine products is rapidly gaining popularity among young Nigerians, from university campuses to upscale lounges and local kiosks. Vapes, flavored nicotine pouches, shisha, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products are replacing conventional cigarettes, sparking alarm among health experts who warn of a new wave of addiction. Unlike traditional cigarettes, these products feature colorful designs, are marketed as lifestyle accessories, and promoted via social media influencers, making them particularly appealing to adolescents and young adults.
Regulatory Loopholes and Weak Enforcement
Public health experts and government officials told The Guardian that weak enforcement of existing tobacco laws, regulatory gaps, and lack of clear provisions for new nicotine products have facilitated their rapid spread. This comes despite growing evidence linking them to severe health risks, including cancer, lung damage, and cardiovascular diseases. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in Nigeria revealed that tobacco use among adults rose from 4.5 million users in 2012 to eight million in 2025. Shisha smoking prevalence increased from 0.3% to 0.7%, and smokeless tobacco use rose from 1.9% to 2.8% in the same period.
Alarming Statistics Among Schoolchildren
Data from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare shows that 15.4% of schoolchildren aged 13 to 15 currently use tobacco. The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) report titled "New Smoke Trap: New and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products, Youth Exposure and Policy Gaps in Nigeria" documented 781 nicotine- and tobacco-related products across Lagos, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory between October and December 2025. Of these, 573 were new products, including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco devices, with e-cigarettes alone accounting for 522 variants.
CAPPA estimates that Nigeria loses approximately N526 billion of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually to tobacco-related healthcare costs and productivity losses, with nearly 30,000 deaths each year. Over 20 billion sticks of cigarettes are consumed annually in the country. A visit to kiosks in Abuja revealed that a single cigarette sells for between N100 and N150, while a pack costs between N2,000 and N2,500, depending on the brand. Kiosk operator Kamal reported selling more than 20 packets monthly.
Stakeholders Call for Action
Stakeholders blame the surge on new nicotine products, peer pressure, cultural influences, celebrity endorsements, and the false belief that vaping and shisha are safer. They urge a review of the National Tobacco Control Act to include new products, higher taxes, and stricter enforcement. The Act, enacted in 2015, bans smoking in public places and sales of single sticks and to minors, but enforcement remains weak.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that tobacco use accounts for 25% of all cancer deaths globally and remains the leading cause of lung cancer. It recommends total excise taxes at least 70% of retail price, but Nigeria's excise taxes are only about 30%.
Expert Perspectives
Mike Olaniyan, Country Coordinator of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) in Nigeria, said tobacco smoking remains a serious public health concern, with challenges including second-hand smoke, youth initiation, weak enforcement, and new nicotine products. He noted that the industry markets identity, fun, flavor, social status, and a false perception of safety. "If young people are not recruited early, long-term customers are lost," he said, calling for stronger laws, funding, and taxes.
Olawale Makanjuola, Coordinator of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), observed increasing efforts by tobacco companies to redefine themselves through corporate social responsibility, visiting policymakers and governors to partner on agriculture. He lamented the introduction of new products targeting youth and advocated strict implementation of the Tobacco Control Act.
Dr. Malau Toma, Head of Cardiovascular Disease and Tobacco Control at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, warned that products promoted as "harm-reduction" or "safer alternatives" are still harmful, containing heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium. He noted that new products are not covered by the current Act, but shisha is covered. The ministry is documenting lessons to inform a review aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Prof. Olukemi Odukoya, Director of the Tobacco Division at the Nigerian Heart Foundation, highlighted shisha smoking as an emerging concern, especially among students. She called for stricter enforcement, school-based programs, and collaboration with the film industry.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Miracle Ihuoma attributed youth acceptance to poor awareness and misconceptions, noting that many view vaping as safer despite nicotine and health risks. He identified mental health conditions linked to substance use and called for more rehabilitation centers and public awareness campaigns.
