BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Graphic health warnings (GHWs) on tobacco product packaging are a proven strategy to discourage tobacco use and inform the public of its health risks. Nigeria adopted mandatory GHWs as part of the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015, with implementation guidelines requiring regular compliance monitoring. In September 2023, a compliance monitoring and enforcement exercise was conducted in Abuja. Challenges included limited awareness among vendors and facility managers, resistance from retailers, and limited resources for comprehensive enforcement and follow-up.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: A multi-agency team comprising representatives from law enforcement, public health agencies, Civil society organizations, and regulatory bodies carried out inspections of retail outlets, malls, and points of sale. T​​​​he team assessed compliance with GHW requirements, such as size, placement, and accuracy including public display of products.Immediate enforcement actions included issuing warnings, confiscating non-compliant products, and sensitizing vendors on the importance of compliance.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: ​A total of 104 tobacco products were inspected across Abuja. Compliance with GHW specifications was observed in 58% of the products. Non-compliance, accounting for 42%, was primarily due to missing warnings (22%), inadequate size (10%), and incorrect placement (10%). The exercise raised awareness among vendors and strengthened inter-agency collaboration. However, challenges such as limited funds for logistics, retailer resistance and lack of cooperation limited the scope of enforcement.
CONCLUSIONS: The compliance monitoring exercise revealed progress in implementing GHW regulations but also underscored significant gaps in adherence. Strengthened public awareness campaigns, capacity building for enforcement agencies, and consistent monitoring are critical to achieving near full compliance. Lessons learned from this exercise can inform future tobacco control activities including interagency cooperation in Nigeria and beyond.