The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has confiscated a significant haul of unregistered and illicit tobacco products from four facilities in Accra during a targeted enforcement operation.

The crackdown, which involved support from the Ghana Police Service, led to the seizure of a wide range of unauthorized items, including 15 brands of illegal shisha flavours, three brands of illicit cigarettes, seven brands of nitrous oxide canisters, 21 unregistered vape products, 10 brands of illegal cigars, and four types of unauthorized tobacco wraps.

The operation, conducted as part of activities marking "World No Tobacco Day" on May 31, targeted six locations across Kwabenya, East Legon, Abeka, Fadama, Tabora, and Achimota. Two of the sites were found closed during the inspection.

Head of the FDA’s Tobacco Products Department, Jemima Odonkor, stated that the products had entered the country through unapproved routes and warned that offenders will face legal and regulatory sanctions.

“This exercise reflects our continuous efforts to clean the market of harmful and unapproved tobacco products,” she said. “We are committed to protecting public health and will intensify our educational outreach, especially in schools, to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.”

Ms. Odonkor added that the FDA will soon begin school visits as part of a nationwide campaign to educate students about the risks associated with tobacco and other illicit substances.

“We will be visiting schools to educate our students on the harmful effects of tobacco products to safeguard them from illicit drugs,” she said.

The Authority is encouraging the public to remain alert and report any suspicious tobacco-related products or activities to support its efforts in safeguarding public health.