Weak Enforcement Could Keep Cigarettes Cheap, Undermine New Tobacco Tax – CISLAC, TJNA Warn

PHOTO CREDIT: The Sun Nigeria / CISLAC
Weak Enforcement Could Keep Cigarettes Cheap, Undermine New Tobacco Tax – CISLAC, TJNA Warn
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned that Nigeria’s new tobacco tax regime may fail to achieve its public health and revenue goals if weak enforcement, tax evasion and industry interference persist.

Speaking at the Second National Tobacco Tax Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said a strong tax policy on paper will mean little without effective implementation.

According to him, issues such as under-declaration, illicit trade, tax evasion and undue industry influence could keep tobacco products cheap and accessible, fueling addiction and avoidable deaths.

“A strong tobacco tax policy on paper means very little if enforcement is weak, revenue administration is opaque, and powerful interests are allowed to undermine implementation,” Rafsanjani said.

He stressed that tobacco taxation should be measured not just by how much revenue is generated, but by how many lives are saved and how much disease is prevented.

“Tobacco taxation is about saving lives before it is about raising revenue. A government that is serious about public health must also be serious about making harmful tobacco products progressively less affordable,” he added.

Rafsanjani called for transparent revenue collection, stronger monitoring, credible sanctions for violators, and public accountability on how tobacco taxes are designed and enforced. He also warned against backdoor negotiations with industry players.

“Public health policy must not be negotiated away behind closed doors. Nigeria does not lack policies. Nigeria often lacks consistent implementation,” he said.

Also speaking at the summit, the Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) urged Nigeria to meet the ECOWAS benchmark for tobacco taxation and extend health taxes to other excisable products.

TJNA Policy Officer, John Thomi, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Director, said effective tobacco taxation is one of the most impactful tools for reducing consumption and funding health and development.

“When you put in tobacco tax structures that affect affordability, there is a high likelihood that consumption will reduce, and if consumption reduces, then non-communicable diseases and healthcare costs also reduce,” Thomi said.

He added that Nigeria has an opportunity to provide leadership in West Africa, noting that the network will continue to support Nigeria with evidence and monitoring of the new regime.

On the part of government, the Federal Ministry of Finance said the new tobacco tax regime for 2026–2028, which provides for progressive increases in specific excise tax rates, is a step towards balancing fiscal and public health objectives.

Represented by Mrs. Sarah Bwala, Assistant Director, Tax Policy Department, the Ministry said Nigeria has operated a mixed excise system since 2018 in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The Nigeria Customs Service and the National Assembly also pledged support for stronger enforcement and collaboration among stakeholders.
SOURCE: The Sun Nigeria