The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa is advocating for a significant increase in the budget allocation for tobacco control in the upcoming national budget. They have emphasized the importance of raising the funding from N10m to N300m to effectively address the public health crisis caused by tobacco use. The organization highlighted the severe health and economic impact of tobacco, noting that it is a leading cause of preventable deaths globally, with 26,800 lives lost annually in Nigeria alone.
CAPPA also raised concerns about the proliferation of unregulated tobacco and nicotine products, targeting young individuals. They pointed out the marketing strategies used by tobacco companies to promote these products, which often downplay the associated health risks. Despite a slight increase in tobacco control funding in the previous budget, CAPPA argued that more resources are needed to strengthen tobacco control efforts in various areas.
The organization stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns, investment in alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers, and the full implementation of the Tobacco Control Fund as outlined in the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act of 2015. They highlighted the necessity for adequate funding to support these initiatives and bridge existing gaps in tobacco control efforts.