News
Tobacco Control Act: CAPPA calls for digital marketing regulations
Mariam Sanni
A Civil Society Organization, CSO , known as Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa( CAPPA), has called for explicit provisions to regulate digital marketing comprehensively.
The Senior Programme Manager, Policy and Research, CAPPA , Zikora Ibeh while briefing pressmen in a media briefing held in Abuja, explained that there should be penalties for platform and third – party vendors facilitating the promotion or sale of new and emerging tobacco products online .
She noted that the organization acknowledges the recent efforts to review the National Tobbaco Control Act, 2015.
Ibeh maintained that any review must uphold the protection of public health, strengthen regulatory oversight, and decisively close the gaps that allow the tobacco industry to continue exploiting vulnerable populations in Nigeria .
It could be recalled a public hearing was held last week at the House of Representatives to discuss two proposed Bills aimed at amending the National Tobacco Control Act(NTCA) 2015, titled “House Bill(HB) 47 and HB 1151.
According to her, HB 1151, which seeks to impose stiffer penalties for violations of smoking regulations, suffers from a fundamental flaw in misrepresenting the titles of the Principal Act and the referenced Sections for amendments.
She added that the HB 47, which aims to cure certain defects in the NTCA 2015, ensure its effective implementation, as well as address the lacuna that May exploited by the tobacco industry in Nigeria .
She stated the CSO have recommended its intent but highlighted some gaps and areas that requires strengthening.
“ The increase influence of digital platforms in promoting emerging products poses a high threat to public health, particularly as these channels such as Instragram, Twitter and Facebook, amongst another’s, often bypass traditional restrictions and target minors.
“ CAPPA calls for explicit provisions to regulate digital marketing comprehensively , with penalties for platforms and third-party vendors facilitating the promotion of sale of new and emerging tobacco products online.
“We urged the Nigerian Government and public health authorities to rigorously enforce Section 18 of the National Tobacco Control Act, ensuring that all interactions with the tobacco industry are transparent and strictly regulatory,” she stated.
Ibeh charged the federal government to strengthen the role of the ministry of health and social welfare as the leading body to coordinate Tobacco Control Efforts and Maintaining Oversight.
Furthermore, the Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, in his welcome address at the press briefing stressed the need to reinforce Nigeria’s tobacco control framework cannot be overstated.
He noted that young Nigerians are increasingly being initiated into consuming these emerging tobacco and nicotine products disguised as modern and trendy altern
Featured
Menstrual Hygiene: ‘Access PADme A Girl’ Educates IDP Women, Distributes Reusable Pads, Other Items
…Launches Pad Bank in IDP Camps
Joel Ajayi
A non-governmental organisation, Access PADme A Girl, is working tirelessly to uplift disadvantaged communities through a campaign focused on menstrual hygiene awareness and safety.
As part of this effort, the group recently distributed over 2,000 reusable menstrual pads, books, food items, and other essentials to girls and women at the Durumi IDP Camp in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Speaking at the sensitization event held on Thursday, the Convener of Access PADme A Girl Initiative, Theresa Moses, emphasized that the initiative aims not only to empower young girls but also to alleviate the financial burden associated with menstruation.
“We came here to distribute free, reusable sanitary pads to the women at Area 1 Durumi IDP Camp,” she said. “The goal is to create awareness and address the issue of period poverty.”
She further announced the launch of a pad bank at the camp, stating, “With the pad bank, women and girls will be able to access menstrual pads every month during their cycles. Many of them have been using tissue paper, dirty rags, or even leaves, which pose serious health risks. We are here to change that narrative by educating them on proper menstrual hygiene and how to use reusable sanitary pads.”
In addition to the hygiene kits, the initiative provided educational materials to young girls in the camp to encourage continued learning.
“We encourage mothers to support their daughters’ education, especially in reading and writing. We also provided them with food items, water, and snacks. This isn’t just a distribution event—we want them to feel valued and supported,” she added.
Theresa also shared plans to expand the campaign across other IDP camps nationwide. “We are taking it step by step—camp by camp. But to sustain this initiative, especially maintaining the pad bank monthly, we need support from individuals, organisations, and government bodies.”
In her own, a childhood friend of the convener and a participant at the event, Blessing Amos emphasized the importance of supporting women’s hygiene in Nigeria.
“Statistics show that around 800 million women menstruate daily worldwide, yet only about 5 million have access to sanitary pads. That leaves 795 million without proper access. When people are struggling to afford food, sanitary products become an afterthought,” she said.
“This initiative is timely. The reusable pads provided mean these women don’t have to worry every month about affording menstrual products. We also taught them how to wash and disinfect the pads for reuse.”
She commended Access Bank for supporting the project and called on other organisations and the government to contribute to such life-changing interventions.
In her remarks, Mrs. Liatu Ayuba, Women Leader of the Durumi IDP Camp, expressed gratitude for both the sanitary pads and the valuable knowledge shared.
“I’m so happy we received these donations and were educated on how to use the products properly. Over 1,000 women here benefited today. I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with others in the camp.”
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