NAFDAC denies approving herbal tea that promotes smoking

Summary

• NAFDAC discredits viral video claiming it endorsed Lung Detox Tea as a “healthy” smoking aid
• The agency says the product is unregistered, unscientific, and was previously rejected
• Legal action may be taken over false claims and defamatory allegations

Abuja, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly denied claims circulating in a viral social media video that it approved a herbal tea said to encourage smoking as “healthy”.

In a statement issued on 21 July, the agency described the claims as “entirely false and unfounded”, clarifying that the product in question, marketed as Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), is not registered with NAFDAC.

According to the agency, an application for the herbal tea was submitted to its Lagos State Office in 2023 but was rejected due to unscientific and potentially dangerous health claims. The applicant was reportedly asked to provide supporting evidence of the product’s safety and efficacy but failed to do so. The product was never approved or resubmitted for consideration.

NAFDAC, a science-led regulatory body, reiterated that it does not endorse any product lacking scientific validation or clinical backing. It also prohibits therapeutic claims for herbal products without clinical trials and disallows the use of organ imagery on product packaging, as was featured in the misleading video.

The agency also condemned what it described as “baseless allegations” of financial inducement made in the video. While such accusations are usually ignored, NAFDAC’s Legal Services Directorate is now reviewing the defamatory statements and may pursue legal action.

Members of the public have been urged to disregard the video and report suspicious products through the agency’s website or dedicated helplines. NAFDAC affirmed its continued commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of Nigerians.