The Food and Drugs Authority(FDA) has warned against the import, sale, and advertisement of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS/VAPES) and other non-nicotine tobacco products.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Dr Delese Darko said vapes contain nicotine which is highly addictive and can lead to serious health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, infertility, diabetes, and gum disease.
It advised the public to desist from using these products due to the health implications associated with them.
The statement explained that the sale and advertisement of these products defy parts of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016 (L.I. 2247).
Part Six and Sections 61 (1) and 62(2) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) as well as Regulation 16 of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016, (L. I. 2247) state that:
“Regulation 16 (1): A person shall not manufacture, import, export, supply, possess, or offer for sale an illicit tobacco or a tobacco product,” the statement detailed.
“Section 62 (1) (b): A person shall not package, label or offer for sale a product that looks like or is likely to be identified with or associated with tobacco or a tobacco product.
“Section 61 (2): A person shall not sell, display for sale, supply, advertise a non-tobacco product or service that contains, either on the product, or in an advertisement of the product, writing, a picture, an image, graphics, message, or other matter that is commonly identified or associated with or is likely or intended or associated with a tobacco product, brand or manufacturer.
The FDA, therefore, cautioned manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers to immediately cease the advertisement and importation of these products or face sanctions.
Meanwhile, it directs that ENDS can be registered as a prescription-only medicine for the purposes of cessation therapy.
Below is the full statement by FDA
