In Nigeria, approximately 2.0 million adults, or 1.9% of the adult population, were current users of traditional smokeless tobacco in 2018. Among these, 2.9% of men used smokeless tobacco, compared to 0.9% of women. In terms of daily use, 1.4% of adults reported daily consumption—broken down into 2.2% of men and 0.6% of women. Under Nigerian law, traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed and is regulated as a tobacco product. It is legal to sell and use, though online purchases are prohibited. Moreover, packaging regulations are in place, requiring health warnings to inform consumers of the risks. Additionally, there is a minimum age restriction of 18 years for sales.
Prevalence
- 1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-nga.pdf?sfvrsn=9ffea84d_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-nga.pdf?sfvrsn=9ffea84d_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Demographic and Health Survey, 2018; National, ages 15-49 World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: Demographic and Health Survey, 2018; National, ages 15-49
Product promotion
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Nigeria. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/nigeria/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
Regulation
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Nigeria. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/nigeria/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Nigeria. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/nigeria/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
Regulations and restrictions
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-nga.pdf?sfvrsn=9ffea84d_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Nigeria. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/nigeria/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 27 May 2025.
Publications
Tobacco harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
With the number of tobacco users across the continent set to rise by 2025, we look at the current state of tobacco harm reduction in the region, assessing the progress made so far and the obstacles preventing greater adoption of safer nicotine products.
