The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has pledged to establish Nigeria as a global leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and related products. In a statement released on Thursday, following a Technical Committee Meeting on standards for heated tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches at its Abuja headquarters, Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director General and Chief Executive of SON, emphasized the urgent need for regulations to govern the production of tobacco and similar products in Nigeria, ensuring safety in line with international best practices.
In his remarks at the opening of the meeting, Okeke highlighted the importance of continuously aligning Nigeria’s industrial standards for tobacco products with international regulations. This alignment, he noted, would position Nigeria as a global leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and similar products.
Represented by Yahaya Bukar, the Director of Standards Development, Okeke stressed that these standards would enhance safety, quality, and mitigate health risks associated with tobacco products. He commended the committee for its remarkable progress, including the development of nine complex draft standards within a short timeframe.
Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to public health-driven regulation, stating, “These efforts will position Nigeria as a leader in the responsible regulation of tobacco and related products, while also strengthening consumer confidence in the Nigerian market.”
The committee, chaired by Professor Adeleke C. Adebayo of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, included members from prominent organizations such as British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International, Japan Tobacco International, and regulatory bodies like NAFDAC, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI).
This meeting underscores SON’s steadfast dedication to ensuring public health, consumer safety, and regulatory excellence in response to the evolving landscape of tobacco and nicotine products.
