We Didn’t Approve Herbal Tea Promoting Smoking -NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) never approved registration of any herbal tea promoting smoking .

As a matter of fact it did not approve any product claiming that “smoking is healthy” when used with it.

The agency gave the following public clarifications following its discovery of a video circulating on social media, falsely alleging that it approved the registration of a herbal product claiming that “smoking is healthy” when used with that product.

“NAFDAC categorically refutes this claim as false, baseless, and completely unfounded. The product in question—Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), or any similar product—is NOT registered by NAFDAC”, it states in a disclaimer signed by its Director-General,   Profesor. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye

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It said in 2023, an unscrupulous individual submitted an application to register an “anti-smoke and lung detox tea” at NAFDAC’s Lagos State Office (LSO), but that upon review, the application was rejected due to the unsubstantiated and dangerous claim that smoking could be made “healthy” by consuming the product.

NAFDAC said the said product was never re-submitted for processing when the promoter was asked to substantiate his claim.

“It is important to emphasise that NAFDAC does not and will never permit the approval, importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, or sale of any product that lacks a solid scientific basis or any product that poses a potential risk to public health.

“The claims made in the application were not only unscientific, but also posed a significant danger to public health”.

The DG stated that as a science-driven and professional regulatory body, NAFDAC strictly enforces its mandate to protect public health, as outlined in the NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004, and that all products under the agency’s regulatory purview—food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, and chemicals, were thoroughly evaluated for safety, quality, and efficacy before approval.

She said, additionally, that NAFDAC would not allow the use of pictorials of organs on product packaging or artwork, as seen in the misleading product.

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“NAFDAC reiterates that clients who apply to register herbal products or any similar products are not permitted to make therapeutic claims, unless those claims have been scientifically validated through proper clinical trials.

“Misleading and deceptive practices, especially those that endanger public health, will not be tolerated.

“The agency remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, effective, and scientifically substantiated products are approved.

“We condemn any attempts by individuals or organisations to mislead the public or promote products with unfounded claims”, the disclaimer further stated..

Aside refuting the assertion to a herbal tea promoting smoking, NAFDAC also stated that its Legal Services Directorate (LESD) was reviewing allegations of financial inducement contained in the video, and may seek a redress in the law court to serve as a restraint to other people.

“The general public is advised to disregard the misleading video and avoid patronising any unregistered or suspicious products. We encourage everyone to report such activities to NAFDAC”, the statement added.