Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has filed a Freedom of Information request with the National Assembly, seeking comprehensive legislative records on the National Tobacco Control Act Amendment Bill, 2025.
The organisation said the request is aimed at promoting transparency and establishing how provisions considered harmful to public health were included in the current version of the Bill.
CAPPA made the request in a letter dated August 13 and addressed to the Clerk of the Senate.
The move follows concerns from the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, a coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations, public health advocates and tobacco control stakeholders.
The coalition recently rejected the proposed amendments and called for the immediate recall of the consolidated Bill.
CAPPA is seeking certified copies of the Senate and House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings covering every stage of the Bill’s consideration.
The organisation wants records covering the first and second readings, committee referrals, consideration of committee reports, third reading and eventual passage.
It is also requesting the dates of each legislative stage, names and constituencies of sponsors and co-sponsors, records of divisions or recorded votes and relevant committee reports.
Other information requested includes details of public hearings, stakeholder submissions and the current status of the Bill, including whether it has been transmitted to the President for assent.
CAPPA invoked Sections 1(1), 2(3)(f) and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and asked the National Assembly to provide the requested information within the statutory seven-day period.
The organisation said the records may be provided electronically or as certified physical copies where applicable.
At a press briefing in Abuja on August 9, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community had raised concerns that the consolidated Bill could weaken safeguards contained in the National Tobacco Control Act 2015.
The coalition particularly criticised proposed changes affecting non-combustible nicotine products, advertising and promotion, online sales, point-of-sale promotion, product sampling, packaging and penalties.
The groups also questioned the legislative history of some of the controversial provisions.
According to the coalition, some provisions were not contained in versions of the legislation presented during a public hearing on November 22, 2024.
It therefore wants clarification on how the provisions were subsequently introduced into the consolidated Bill.
CAPPA said its request was made in the interest of public health, accountability and transparency.
The organisation also said the tobacco-control community wants to know who introduced provisions it considers concessions to tobacco and nicotine interests and which public health institutions reviewed them.
The coalition argued that any update to Nigeria’s tobacco control laws should strengthen existing protections against tobacco-related diseases and nicotine addiction.
It also expressed concern about provisions that could allow certain forms of promotion of non-combustible nicotine products through adult publications, point-of-sale materials and online platforms.
The coalition further raised concerns about proposed sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events, online sales, product sampling and the classification of heated tobacco products.
It warned that Nigeria’s large youth population and the rapid spread of digital content could expose young people to tobacco and nicotine marketing, even where exemptions are intended for adults.
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Community has consequently called for the immediate recall of the consolidated Bill and a fresh, transparent and public health-led review.
