Tobacco: Over 20 Billion Cigarettes Consumed Daily In Nigeria

Minister of health, Isaac Adewole has revealed that over 20 billion sticks of cigarettes are consumed annually in Nigeria.
 

The minister said this during a press briefing organised to mark the 2018 World No-Tobacco day celebration in Abuja on Monday.
 

Adewole also said 4.5 million adults currently use tobacco products, while about 82 per cent of people who visit bars and nightclubs are exposed to second-hand smoke.
 

Adewole said, “Let me draw attention to the fact that tobacco use is responsible for huge economic losses emanating from both direct and indirect medical costs.”
 

“It is estimated that Nigeria losses $800 million annually to stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
 

“In 2015, the projected accumulated loss to tobacco was put at $7.6 billion,” he said.
 

He said for every $1 gained from tobacco business, about $3 is expended on healthcare cost, noting that the tobacco industry makes huge profit without taking responsibility for the harm they do to public health.
 

The minister also addressed trending flavoured tobacco (shisha) among young Nigerians, saying, “A key outcome of this review was the ban on all characterising flavours including the addition of menthol into tobacco products.
 

“This decision is to protect our children from getting enticed by flavoured tobacco products. Let me stress that the ban on tobacco products with characterising flavour is still in place and the ban includes shisha because it has flavour.
 

“I therefore urge the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the law enforcement agencies to intensify arrest of defaulters,” he said.
 

Nigeria on Monday implemented its approved excise duty for alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
 

According to the new excise duty, in addition to the 20 per cent ad-valorem rate, each stick of cigarette will attract one naira specific rate per stick; that is N20 per pack of 20 sticks in 2018.
 

She said that in 2019, tobacco will attract two naira specific rate per stick or N40 per pack of 20 sticks.
 

The minister said that by 2020, tobacco would begin to attract N2.90 kobo specific rate per stick or N58 per pack of 20 sticks.
 

Adeosun explained that Nigeria’s cumulative specific excise duty rate for tobacco was 23.2 per cent of the price of the most sold brand.
 

This is as against 38.14 per cent in Algeria, 36.52 per cent in South Africa and 30 per ce