The Nigerian tobacco industry is facing dark times after news emerged that the federal government is allegedly making plans to completely ban smoking.

A directive to ban smoking in public places and government buildings has already been given by the Department of Non Communicable Diseases.

Three companies are also currently being sued by the federal government for the harm they caused to under-aged smokers in the country. The companies are British-American Tobacco plc, Philip Morris International and International Tobacco Limited.

Tobacco is one of Nigeria's more important cash crops and is mainly grown in the states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kwara.