The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reminded cigarette vendors that the sale of single cigarette sticks is illegal under Ghana’s tobacco control laws and has urged retailers to comply with regulations requiring cigarettes to be sold only in sealed packs.
Speaking in Bolgatanga, the Acting Upper East Regional Head of the FDA, Abel Ndego, said cigarette packs carry mandatory pictorial and written health warnings designed to educate consumers about the dangers of tobacco use.
According to him, selling cigarettes as individual sticks prevents consumers from seeing those health warnings and undermines public health efforts aimed at reducing tobacco use.
“The law requires cigarettes to be sold in approved packs because the packaging contains important health information for consumers,” Ndego said.
The warning forms part of the FDA’s ongoing public education campaign on the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products. As part of activities marking this year’s World No Tobacco Day, FDA officials engaged traders, drivers, passengers, and members of the public across Bolgatanga to raise awareness about the risks associated with smoking and other tobacco products.
Ndego stressed that there is no safe form of tobacco use and urged the public to avoid cigarettes, shisha, vapes, and other nicotine products.
He also reminded Ghanaians that smoking in public places remains prohibited by law and called on the public to respect designated no-smoking regulations.
The FDA has urged retailers to comply with tobacco control laws by selling cigarettes only in approved packs and encouraged the public to support efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases.
“Compliance with tobacco control laws is essential to safeguarding public health and protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco use,” Ndego stated.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
