The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), pledged to position Nigeria as a global leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and related products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
In a statement released on Thursday, following a Technical Committee Meeting at its headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, emphasized the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety and quality of tobacco products in line with international best practices.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Okeke highlighted the importance of aligning Nigeria’s industrial standards for tobacco products with global regulations.
He expressed that this would establish Nigeria as a key player in the responsible regulation of tobacco and similar products worldwide.
Represented by Yahaya Bukar, Director of Standards Development, Okeke stressed that the new standards will not only ensure safety and quality but also mitigate health risks associated with tobacco use.
He reaffirmed SON’s commitment to public health-driven regulations, stating: “These efforts would position Nigeria as a leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and similar products, while also bolstering consumer confidence in the Nigerian market.”
The meeting discussed crucial issues such as combating substandard products, enhancing transparency, and setting technical guidelines for manufacturers.
Stakeholders present at the meeting pledged their support for the adoption and implementation of the new standards.
The Technical Committee was chaired by Professor Adeleke C. Adebayo of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and included representatives from major tobacco companies like British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International, and Japan Tobacco International, as well as regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI).
This meeting underscores SON’s commitment to advancing public health, ensuring consumer safety, and maintaining regulatory excellence as it adapts to the evolving tobacco and nicotine product market.
