SON to position Nigeria as leader in tobacco regulation

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has vowed to make Nigeria a leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and similar products across the globe.

In a statement obtained from the agency’s website on Thursday after it convened a Technical Committee Meeting on standards for heated tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, cicotine pouches at its headquarters in Abuja, the director general and chief executive SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, stated the urgent need to regulate the production of tobacco and related products in Nigeria to ensure safety in line with International best practices.

Declaring the meeting open, Okeke stressed the need to continuously align the requirements in the Nigerian Industrial Standards for tobacco products with relevant international regulations to position Nigeria as a leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and similar products.

The Director General, represented by the Director, Standards Development, Yahaya Bukar, emphasised that the standards will ensure safety and quality and mitigate health risks.

He praised the committee for achieving significant milestones, including the elaboration of nine complex draft standards within a short period.

The SON helmsman reaffirmed SON’s commitment to public health-driven regulation.

According to him, “These efforts would position Nigeria as a leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and similar products as well as bolster consumer confidence in the Nigerian market.

“Discussions during the meeting covered critical issues such as reducing the risks of substandard products, improving transparency, and setting technical guidelines for manufacturers. The meeting concluded with stakeholders pledging support for the adoption and implementation of the new standards.”

The Committee was chaired by Professor Adeleke C. Adebayo of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with membership drawn from key organisations such as British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International, Japan Tobacco International, and regulatory agencies including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI).

The meeting underscores SON’s unwavering commitment to ensuring public health, consumer safety, and regulatory excellence in response to the evolving landscape of tobacco and nicotine products.