Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has expressed its disapproval of a five-year deal between Burna Boy’s company, BrkFst, and Aspire North America, LLC, a subsidiary of Inspire Technology Inc. for manufacturing and distributing vaping products in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Europe.
Aspire North America, LLC, and BrkFst’s business collaboration is likely to promote aggressive marketing of cannabis vaping and e-cigarettes, including vape pens, e-hookahs, JUULs, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), which will worsen the nation’s Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) burden.
CAPPA believes that Burna Boy’s BrkFst brand promotes cannabis and fashion culture. However, cannabis is an illicit substance in Nigeria due to its potential to worsen the country’s challenges with drug proliferation, abuse, and narco-terrorism.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi said: “We are disappointed that Burna Boy has chosen to promote habits that cause dangerous health consequences rather than healthy lifestyles and noble causes among the youth.”
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CAPPA criticized the tobacco industry’s efforts to make its products appealing to vulnerable groups by producing e-cigarettes in a variety of attractive colours and flavours and using socialites to promote them.
E-cigarettes contain fewer toxic chemicals than regular cigarettes. However, aerosols from e-cigarettes still contain harmful and potentially dangerous substances, including nicotine, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals like lead, and carcinogens.
Akinbode added: “E-cigarette promoters claim their products can help people quit smoking. However, evidence shows that these so-called alternatives to tobacco smoke, including vapes, are not healthy at all. Nicotine used in vapour products is highly addictive and can damage your heart, arteries, and lungs, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and chronic lung disease.”
CAPPA urged Nigerians and the government to watch out for the tobacco industry’s efforts to undermine the hard-won victories of tobacco control efforts. They also urged public health advocates to step up vigilance against these deadly products and deceitful claims of the industry.
