Minister of state for health, Olorunnimbe Mamora said the federal government has increased tax on tobacco products such as cigarettes and shisha from 20 to 30 per cent.
He stated this at a media briefing in Abuja to mark the 2022 World No Tobacco Day, themed ‘Tobacco: A Threat To Our Environment’.
Mamora said the tax is aimed at discouraging consumption of tobacco products and that it took effect on June 1, 2022.
“This new regime increased the ad-valorem tax rate from 20 per cent to 30 percent.
“In addition to the 30 per cent ad-valorem, a specific excise rate has been increased from N58 to N84 per pack of 20 sticks of cigarette, and this will further be increased to N94 per pack in 2023; and then N104 per pack in 2024.
“Also, shisha is now taxed at the rate of N3,000 per litre and N1,000 per kilogramme and this will be increased yearly by N500.12.
“This pro-health tax is an effective public health control measure against behavioural risk factors as it has the capacity to reduce demand and consumption of tobacco products,” the minister of health stated.
He further said the ministry had commenced screening and issuance of operational licences to qualified major tobacco businesses in the country with the view to profiling and monitoring tobacco industry activities nationwide.
Mamora added that the tobacco industry must ensure that the unit packages of all tobacco products have the approved text and pictorial/graphic health warning message so that the public, especially tobacco users, are made aware of the harmful effects of tobacco use.
At the event, The minister also launched the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI) dashboard at the event and urged Nigerians to avoid tobacco and exposure to second-hand smoke.
The TCDI dashboard is a virtual system that would allow stakeholders and the public to access relevant and up-to-date data on tobacco control in the country.
He said quitting tobacco is beneficial as it decreases the risk of many diseases.
“It will also protect even babies, children, and women as they are the topmost victims of second-hand smoke,” Mamora added.
