The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has condemned the sale of cigarette-shaped lollipops, following a crackdown by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) on vendors trading the product.
Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GUTA, Nana Kwabena Peprah, described the incident as unfortunate. Although he acknowledged that the confectionery does not contain tobacco, he stressed that its branding poses a severe threat to child safety by normalizing smoking for minors.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, he noted that even adult smokers are warned about the health hazards of tobacco.
“What has happened is shocking and disturbing. Even adults are advised to take caution that excessive smoking could be detrimental to their health. The toffees don’t contain cigarettes; however, the branding pushes a narrative that smoking is healthy when it is not. So as officials at GUTA, we condemn this,” he said.
Mr. Peprah questioned how the products breached border controls and reached local markets. He called for a thorough investigation to hold negligent officials accountable.
“While we condemn what has happened, we also question how the toffees found their way into our markets. It raises fundamental questions about how our officials work at our borders. We have the Food and Drugs Authority in charge of ensuring food safety, while the Standards Authority is responsible for the standards and labeling of products. How did these institutions fail at their jobs and allow these products into the market? We must probe the matter thoroughly and ensure those responsible are held to account,” he added.
The FDA, in collaboration with National Security, confiscated quantities of the unregistered “Cigarette Rod Lollipop” in Accra’s Central Business District. A key suspect linked to its distribution was arrested over the weekend and remains in police custody while investigations into its importation and sale continue.
The FDA warned that the product is unregistered, meaning its composition remains unknown and potentially unsafe. The Authority added that the candy could encourage children to pick up smoking, directly undermining national anti-smoking campaigns.
Mr. Peprah affirmed GUTA’s readiness to support regulatory bodies in resolving the issue, while urging the public to demand accountability from state institutions and calling on border authorities to tighten security against smuggling.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
