Victoria Mgbanwa
Nigeria’s drug regulatory agency, NAFDAC, has issued a stern public warning against a so-called “Lung Detox Tea” being marketed online as a healthy option for smokers, calling the viral claims deceptive, dangerous, and completely false.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has debunked a widely circulated video promoting a herbal tea branded as Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride) as a safe aid for smokers. The agency made it clear that the product was never registered, approved, or certified by any of its offices.
In an official statement on Monday, NAFDAC described the claims as “not only misleading but dangerous,” adding that the product failed to meet even the most basic scientific and regulatory standards.
“This claim is entirely false and unfounded. At no time did NAFDAC approve this or any similar product,” the statement read.
According to the agency, the manufacturer had submitted an application in 2023 to register the tea as an “anti-smoke and lung detox” remedy, but the request was promptly rejected due to lack of evidence for safety and efficacy.
The circulating promotional video, which falsely implies NAFDAC’s endorsement, was also condemned by the agency. It reportedly features prohibited imagery of human organs and makes unverified therapeutic claims violations that the agency says breach Nigerian regulatory laws for herbal medicines.
Furthermore, NAFDAC strongly refuted bribery allegations mentioned in the video, labeling them defamatory. The agency’s Legal Services Directorate is reviewing the case and considering legal action against the parties behind the video.
“The use of unproven therapeutic claims for herbal products is strictly prohibited,” the agency reiterated, urging consumers to disregard the misleading content and report similar incidents through its official communication channels.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to safeguarding public health:
“NAFDAC remains firmly committed to protecting the health and safety of all Nigerians,”
The agency has called on the public to remain vigilant and avoid unregistered products claiming to offer medical benefits without scientific validation.
