Smoking in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the current prevalence of tobacco smoking among adults aged 15 years and older was estimated to be 2.9% in 2024. In comparison, this was reported to be 2.6% in 2020. The current smoking prevalence in 2024 was 5.4% among males and 0.3% among females. The number of smokers in 2024 was approximately 3,8 million, marking a notable increase from 2,906,910 in 2020. For reference, daily smoking prevalence among adults in 2017 was 4.6%, with a prevalence of 8.6% among males and 0.5% among females. In 2021, smoking-related mortality was significant, with 15,926 deaths, accounting for 0.87% of all deaths in the country. Specifically, tobacco smoking led to 11,794 male deaths and 4,132 female deaths, representing 1.2% and 0.49% of all male and female deaths, respectively. These statistics underline the public health challenges posed by tobacco smoking in Nigeria, necessitating continued monitoring and regulatory efforts to mitigate its impact.
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November 20, 2025 by gfn.tv
GFN News #164 | WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT HARM REDUCTION IN NIGERIA?
Nigeria is experiencing increasing health impacts from smoking, and experts argue that harm reduction—not prohibition—is key to saving lives. In this GFN News episode, Joanna Junak interviews Uche Olatunji and Yusuf Adebisi on the major barriers to tobacco harm reduction in Nigeria, including widespread misinformation about nicotine and a lack of educational resources. They discuss community outreach, science-based alternatives, and the critical roles of universities and the media in shifting public perception. Learn how evidence-based harm-reduction strategies can help Nigerians make safer, informed decisions.
October 20, 2025 by leadership.ng
Experts Advocate Swedish Model To Curb Smoking In Nigeria
Experts in Nigeria are advocating for adopting Sweden’s harm reduction model to curb smoking. Instead of total eradication, the approach promotes safer alternatives like vaping. They urge the government to implement a national framework with regulation, public education, and data-driven policies to reduce smoking-related diseases.
October 20, 2025 by leadership.ng
Experts Advocate Swedish Model To Curb Smoking In Nigeria
Experts in Nigeria are advocating for adopting Sweden’s harm reduction model to curb smoking. Instead of total eradication, the approach promotes safer alternatives like vaping. They urge the government to implement a national framework with regulation, public education, and data-driven policies to reduce smoking-related diseases.
September 23, 2025 by pmnewsnigeria.com
Nigeria’s health financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn tobacco settlement
Nigeria’s decision to allocate SIN taxes—levies on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks—to health financing demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting public health and reflects long-standing demands from local advocates and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The move comes at a critical time. A recent investigation found Nigerians spend around N1.92 trillion ($1.26 billion) annually on treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Nearly 30% of all deaths in the country are linked to NCDs, with tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks identified as major contributors.
June 09, 2025 by guardian.ng
Expert raises alarm over increasing deaths linked to tobacco use
Dr. Rita Opene, a health expert in Delta State, Nigeria, raises alarm on the increasing tobacco-related deaths, stressing global preventable death concerns. Opene, also a coordinator for the Nigerian Cancer Society, highlights World Health Organization data revealing over seven million annual tobacco-related deaths worldwide. She addresses statistics from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, showing 4.7 million Nigerian adults using tobacco, with a rising trend in newer tobacco products. Opene warns about the health risks, including lung cancer and heart disease, associated with tobacco use, emphasizing the need for urgent action and awareness to combat the epidemic.
December 04, 2024 by downtoearth.org.in
Tobacco harm reduction will save 600,000 lives in Nigeria and Kenya by 2060: Report
Integrating tobacco harm reduction (THR) products in Nigeria and Kenya could save 600,000 lives by 2060, cutting tobacco-related deaths. THR offers less harmful smoke-free nicotine alternatives like e-cigarettes, proven effective in other countries. Despite government approval, their use remains low. Strict regulations on THR products may hinder quitting efforts. Urgent collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, and leaders is needed to make THR products accessible. The research aims to guide policymakers on implementing enhanced cessation programs for a healthier, smoke-free future. Understanding smoking dynamics in Nigeria and Kenya is crucial for successful interventions.
November 26, 2024 by smokefreesweden.org
Tobacco harm reduction strategy ‘will save 416,000 Nigerian lives’
Over 400,000 Nigerian lives could be saved by integrating safer nicotine products like vapes into tobacco control. Current tobacco-related deaths in Nigeria are high, but by adopting tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies, annual death toll could decrease to 7,600 by 2060. Successful THR implementation in countries like the UK and Sweden has reduced smoking rates. Leading health experts urge Nigerian policymakers to introduce THR products to save lives and improve public health. By offering less harmful alternatives, Nigeria can make significant progress in tobacco control. Embracing THR is crucial for Nigeria to lower tobacco-related diseases and set an example for Africa. For more information on THR success, visit www.smokefreesweden.org.
October 31, 2024 by businessday.ng
A smoke-free Nigeria is possible: Lessons from Sweden’s successful tobacco harm reduction strategy
Tobacco use remains a major global public health challenge, causing over 8 million deaths annually. Despite anti-smoking efforts, 1.1 billion people still smoke, especially in low-income countries. Sweden's success in becoming smoke-free involved public health campaigns and safer nicotine alternatives. Nigeria could benefit from adopting a harm reduction strategy, as not all smokers can quit. Safer alternatives like nicotine vapes can reduce smoking-related diseases. This approach saves lives and healthcare costs. Collaborative efforts are crucial in regulating and promoting these alternatives. By following Sweden's lead, Nigeria could achieve a smoke-free future and improve public health outcomes.
August 27, 2024 by businessday.ng
The Truth About Vaping: Separating Fact from Fiction
Vaping is not a perfect solution, but it is a safer alternative to smoking. By vaporising a liquid solution containing pharmaceutical-grade nicotine instead of burning tobacco, it eliminates the harmful combustion by-products released by burning tobacco that cause the majority of smoking-related diseases. The Royal College of Physicians estimates that vaping is likely to be much safer than smoking, with some studies suggesting it may be at least 95 percent safer.
August 16, 2024 by businessday.ng
A consumer-friendly harm reduction approach works better than one-size-fits-all policies
Sweden's successful harm reduction model, including the use of Snus and other nicotine alternatives, has significantly reduced smoking rates and associated health risks. Nigeria can learn from Sweden by increasing accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of harm reduction products to tackle its high smoking rates. With nearly 30,000 smoking-related deaths in 2022 and 4.5 million current smokers, Nigeria faces a pressing public health challenge. Emulating Sweden's approach could lead to improved outcomes and a smoke-free future. The Swedish model's success underscores the need for diverse cessation options, public awareness campaigns, and reduced taxes on safer nicotine products.
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