Medical experts and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are urging the Federal Government to fully implement graphic health warnings on all tobacco product packaging and labeling. They argue that these warnings are essential for raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use, reducing consumption, and assisting individuals with limited literacy skills.
Currently, while some graphic warnings appear on cigarette packaging in Nigeria, there are none for other tobacco products such as shisha, snuff, and snus. This situation persists despite the World Health Organization’s (WHO) mandate under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires parties to adopt policies that include health warnings on tobacco products.
The 2024 annual graphic warnings are set to begin in June 2024. Experts and CSOs are calling on the government to ensure these warnings cover 60 percent of the display areas on all tobacco products, including shisha and others.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Francis Fagbule, a public health consultant at the University of Ibadan, emphasized the legal requirement for graphic health warnings on tobacco products. He noted that research has shown such warnings to be effective in encouraging people to quit smoking.
“The law clearly states that we should use pictures instead of text, and these pictures are designed to remind consumers of the risks. However, not all companies are complying, and this includes products like shisha. Enforcement agents and stakeholders must ensure that the law is applied to all tobacco products,” Fagbule said.
Dr. Tunji Akintade, former Chairman of the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, called for stringent regulation of all consumables, including tobacco products. He emphasized that products like snuff, shisha, and marijuana should be regulated and that advertisements for these products on social media should also be controlled.
Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, stressed the need for Nigeria to adhere to WHO recommendations to prevent young people from starting to smoke. He pointed out that attractive packaging often leads to experimentation and that graphic health warnings can serve as a deterrent.
“Most cigarette packs now feature pictorial health warnings covering at least 50 percent of the packaging, but this is not the case for other tobacco products like shisha and snus. The Ministry of Health and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission need to ensure full compliance nationwide,” Jakpor added.
A study by Development Gateway, an international non-profit organization, highlighted the alarming increase in shisha smoking among students in high school and tertiary education. The study recommended restrictions on flavors, awareness campaigns about the health risks of shisha, and interventions to help people quit.
“Monitoring and enforcement of existing tobacco control laws must be strengthened, especially in smoke-free environments. Health warnings in English should be included on all shisha products, including the pots, and specific taxes should be applied to shisha. The sale of shisha to minors must be prohibited,” the study concluded.
