It is illegal to sell single sticks of cigarettes, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revealed.

During an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Acting Regional Head of the FDA, Abel Ndego of the Upper East Regional Office, explained that by law, cigarettes are supposed to be sold in sealed packs.

This, he explained, is to inform consumers of the potential health hazards associated with the product.

“Per the provisions of the law, it is illegal to sell single sticks of cigarettes to any person. A single stick does not provide enough space for us to display legible warning signs. Cigarettes are therefore required to be sold in packs, which carry the approved health warnings,” he noted.

In Ghana, cigarette sales are regulated under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247), which require that cigarettes be sold only in sealed packages containing at least 10 sticks. Selling single cigarette sticks is explicitly prohibited.

Also, Mr Ndego indicated that all registered cigarette brands were required to display pictorial health warnings on their packaging.

“We have realised that written inscriptions alone do not effectively communicate the dangers of tobacco use. When people see actual images of damaged lungs, rotten teeth, cancerous lips, and other tobacco-related health conditions, they are better able to appreciate the risks associated with smoking,” he said.

He went on to remind retailers and shop owners that the sale of single sticks of cigarettes remains illegal in Ghana, expressing concern about the increasing influx of unregistered tobacco products into the region through porous borders.

“Because of the porosity of our borders, some recalcitrant individuals take advantage of the situation to smuggle unregistered tobacco products into the region,” he stated.

Consequently, the acting regional head warned that his outfit is collaborating with security agencies to combat the practice and prevent the circulation of unregistered tobacco products.

Among such measures are routine patrols and inspections by the Authority’s enforcement teams to ensure that unregistered tobacco products are prevented from entering the markets.

Mr. Ndego noted that routine inspections and stakeholder engagements had contributed to a high level of compliance with tobacco regulations in the region and called for continued public support to help achieve a tobacco-free society.

“Through sustained enforcement and regulatory measures, we have achieved a significant level of compliance. I can confidently say that the region is recording very good compliance with tobacco control regulations,” he said.