Nigeria: Tobacco Firm Gets Seven Day Ultimatum Over Fake Cigarette

Source from:  Daily Trust 12/14/2011

The Leaf Tobacco & Commodities (Nig.) Limited has been given seven days by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has given to react to the circulation of a sub-standard cigarette, Peterfield Special menthol, in Nigerian markets. CPC, in a letter to the Managing Director of the company, alleged that the cigarette has failed labeling requirements, making it to be suspicious for consumption by consumers. "Samples of the said cigarette, which supposedly belongs to your company, show among others, that the pack has no best before dates, there is no number on the NIS logo - which indicates non certification of the product and the address on the pack is not the same as the factory address," the letter reads in part. The council said the absence of the features constitutes gross violation of the labeling requirements for cigarette products in Nigeria. "We are by this letter requesting you to explain to the Council within seven days of the date of this letter why necessary sanctions should not be applied." The agency directed the company to make its position known within the stipulated period, threatening that failure would not only lead to immediate nation-wide mopping up of the cigarette, but would also attract some sanctions in line with its enabling law. Enditem