In a bid to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s youth, the government has reaffirmed its dedication to shielding children from the harmful effects of tobacco.
It vowed to intensify efforts to prevent tobacco interference and ensure a safer future for the next generation.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Alexander Akwesi Acquah, has reiterated that the government will continue to protect the youth from the tobacco industry’s harmful tactics.
According to the deputy minister, vulnerable young individuals are lured into using tobacco products through deceptive strategies, including colorful packaging, misleading flavors, and manipulative marketing campaigns.
He emphasized that tobacco companies exploit the curiosity and social media attachment of young people to create a new generation of addicted customers.
“The industry preys on their curiosity and attachment to our social media platforms, attempting to create a new generation of addicted customers,” he added.
To combat this menace, the minister noted that the government has strengthened the enforcement of existing tobacco control laws, ensuring strict enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
He listed progress made on the WHO’s Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, the Public Health Act (2012), Tobacco Control Regulations (2016), and the recently introduced Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill (2022).
The minister made this revelation during the launch of the 2024 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), organized by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WHO, and other stakeholders.
This year’s WNTD celebration was held under the theme “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.”
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FDA, Mrs. Yvonne Nkrumah, who read a speech on behalf of the CEO of the FDA said tobacco is hitting hard on the world’s population.
She added that eight million lives are lost annually due to tobacco product usage.
According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2017), a concerning 8.8% of students use tobacco products, including shisha, while 8.5% use electronic nicotine delivery systems like e-cigarettes and vapes.
She noted that the tobacco industry has wielded its influence on the youth with aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns for over a decade, infiltrating schools, communities, and social media platforms to cultivate a new generation of smokers.
She appealed for collective efforts to fortify the country’s defenses with robust policies and regulations to stem the industry’s tide and safeguard children’s health.
The Technical Officer at the World Health Organization, George Hedidor called for collective effort to protect young people from tobacco usage through effective policy implementation.
By: Akua Oteng Amponsah