Overview

The National Tobacco Regulations, 2019, are a legal framework established by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to regulate tobacco control. Approved by the Senate on 23 May 2019 and the House of Representatives on 7 May 2019, these regulations are issued by the Honourable Minister for Health, Professor Isaac F. Adewole, under section 39(1) of the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015. The regulations are divided into nine parts covering objectives, health warnings and packaging, smoke-free areas, prohibition of advertising and sponsorship, protection from industry interference, enforcement, licensing, the Tobacco Control Fund, and miscellaneous provisions. Key objectives include providing a legal framework for implementing the Act and protecting the rights to health, life, and safe environments from tobacco smoke. Part II mandates that tobacco product packages bear health warnings consisting of colored pictures with text, printed in specific technical specifications (four colors, 133 lines per inch, 300 dpi source file) to maximize noticeability, without borders or designs that reduce warning size. Part III prohibits smoking in indoor and outdoor public gathering places, outlines responsibilities for persons in charge of such places, and sets conditions for designated smoking areas. Part IV bans tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, except for communications with consenting adults aged 18 or above and prescribed price lists. Part V protects public health policies from tobacco industry interference. Part VI designates authorized officers for enforcement. Part VII establishes a licensing system for tobacco products, including processing, fees, duration, and revocation. Part VIII provides for property forfeiture to the Tobacco Control Fund. Part IX includes provisions for public hearings, access to information, monitoring, reporting, offences, penalties, and interpretation. The regulations aim to ensure comprehensive tobacco control across Nigeria.

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