The House of Representatives is set to review the National Tobacco Control Act to close regulatory gaps concerning emerging nicotine products, especially electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vape devices, as part of broader efforts to combat illicit drugs and harmful substances.
The decision was announced during a courtesy visit by the House Ad-hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) headquarters in Abuja.Committee Chairman, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe, explained that the current tobacco control legislation does not adequately address modern products like vapes and e-cigarettes.
He emphasized the urgent need for legislative updates to bolster border controls, enforcement, and compliance monitoring.“We must assess if our laws are sufficient. Are bonded warehouses adhering to regulations? Do we have enough personnel at entry points? These issues require comprehensive attention,” Adelegbe stated.
He clarified that the visit was collaborative rather than investigative, aimed at building stronger ties between the National Assembly and Customs to tackle the spread of illicit drugs, banned pharmaceuticals, and unregulated tobacco products.
Adelegbe noted that the committee previously conducted a public hearing with participation from over 300 organizations, including civil society groups, underscoring widespread alarm about the devastating effects of drug abuse and illicit trade on Nigerian families and communities.
He described the proliferation of illicit drugs and related items as a national emergency that demands coordinated reforms and enhanced cooperation among agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Nigeria Customs Service.
The committee also plans nationwide advocacy campaigns in major cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, as well as other states, to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and unregulated tobacco products.
Responding on behalf of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection), Timi Bomodi, reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to fighting illicit trade.
Bomodi disclosed that in the past year, Customs intercepted more than 230 forty-foot containers of illegally imported pharmaceuticals many exceeding NAFDAC-approved limits and misdeclared as other items.
He warned that the potential societal harm from allowing such large volumes of unregulated substances into the country “is left to the imagination.”
The Service also reported significant cocaine seizures, including 22 parcels at Seme Command (handed over to NDLEA) and over 1,000 kilogrammes at Lagos ports, some hidden in ship hulls.
Bomodi highlighted intensified efforts, including intelligence-led operations, deployment of advanced scanners, creation of a specialized drug detection unit, improved officer training, and mandatory drug testing for Customs personnel under a zero-tolerance policy.
He noted the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with NDLEA and NAFDAC to deepen collaboration on drug interdiction and pharmaceutical regulation.
“The objectives of this committee align perfectly with those of the Nigeria Customs Service. We are fully committed to partnering and providing all necessary support,” Bomodi assured.
The planned review of the tobacco control law signals a proactive legislative response to evolving threats from new nicotine products and the wider challenge of illicit substances entering Nigeria.
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