Lagos govt debunks rumoured ban on bottled drinks

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has debunked a report that the Lagos State government is planning to ban the sale of plastic bottled drinks exposed to sunlight in the state.

The Lagos State government, in a statement signed by the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, and published on the agency’s website, stated that it has no intention of banning the sale of plastic bottled drinks in the state as rumoured by a viral social media report.

It, however, said the intention of the state government through LASCOPA was to engage sellers and buyers of plastic bottled drinks on the dangers inherent in the exposure of such drinks to sunlight.

This, according to the statement, will be achieved through advocacy and sensitisation programmes, and not a ban.

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The statement read, “The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has dismissed a viral social media report alleging that the State Government is set to ban the sale of plastic bottled drinks exposed to sunlight.

“A statement signed by the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo Esq., said that the Agency’s plan is to engage sellers and buyers of plastic bottled drinks through advocacy and sensitisation programmes on the dangers inherent in the exposure of plastic bottled drinks to sunlight.

“Solebo noted that the Lagos State Government has no intention of banning the sale of plastic bottled drinks as stated in the social media report being circulated, saying ‘The Government is keen on ensuring that both consumers and traders are educated and enlightened on the health hazard of consuming plastic bottled drinks that have been exposed to sunlight’.

“The General Manager emphasised that the exposure of plastic bottled drinks to sunlight is dangerous to the health of consumers as it can cause cancer, hormonal imbalance, and gastrointestinal issues, among other health conditions.

“While informing that the essence of the display of plastic bottles by sellers is to create awareness of the availability of their product or merchandise, he urged manufacturers and producers alike to make available alternative dummy bottles to retailers of plastic bottle drinks for use as product display instead of the actual plastic bottled drinks being exposed to sunlight.”