Nigeria takes on tobacco giants

Nigeria's government is suing three international tobacco firms for $44bn (£22bn) - the first such case in the developing world - due to start in the capital, Abuja. The government says tobacco manufacturers are putting unacceptable pressure on the country's health services as well as targeting younger and younger consumers in order to replace former smokers in Europe and North America.

All three tobacco giants, British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris and International Tobacco Ltd., deny the claims, saying they are socially responsible companies which do not target children. They say the case "has no merit".

But government lawyers are convinced they have a strong case. Showing e-mails between tobacco firm employees in court will reveal deliberate attempts to increase the number of "young and underage" smokers. It will also show attempts to influence lawmakers in order to keep tobacco sales unregulated, they say.

Campaigners in Nigeria say children are sent positive messages about smoking all the time. And young people across Nigeria can buy cigarettes from vendors in single "sticks", which campaigners say makes it easier for young people to pick up the habit. The World Health Organization estimates that 18% of young Nigerians smoke - storing up huge potential health problems in a country of 140 million people, most of whom are under 20.

Four Nigerian state governments also plan to go to court early in 2008 to argue similar cases.

For further information:
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: the first global health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization.