The federal government has increased the tax on tobacco
products including shisha and cigarettes from 20 percent to 30 percent.
Olorunnimbe Mamora, minister of state for health, made this
known on Tuesday at a media briefing in Abuja in commemoration of the 2022
World No Tobacco Day, themed ‘Tobacco: A Threat To Our Environment’.
He said the tax is aimed at discouraging consumption of
tobacco products.
Mamora said the new tax took effect on June 1, 2022.
“This new regime increased the ad-valorem tax rate from 20
percent to 30 percent,” he said.
“In addition to the 30 percent 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.”
Mamora 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.
He added that the tobacco industry must ensure that the unit
packages of all their 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.
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 urged Nigerians to avoid tobacco and exposure to
second-hand smoke.
According to him, 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 said.
“I also urge citizens
to report infringements on provisions of the national tobacco control laws and
regulations to the law enforcement agencies.”
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