By Albert Allotey
Accra, June 02, GNA â The Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA), a civil society organisation, has called for a robust action and public awareness to curb the availability of tobacco products such as shisha, flavoured products and candies among the youth.
It said it acknowledged the efforts of the Government and the Ministry of Health in advancing tobacco control through the Public Health Act and related regulatory framework, yet more needed to be done to stop the rising popularity and availability of the novel tobacco products.
Ms. Mary Yayra Kpogo, the Programme Officer of INSLA made the call in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency as part of the commemoration of this yearâs World No Tobacco Day.
It was on the theme: âUnmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Truth Behind Tobacco Harm Reduction.â
It is a day set aside and dedicated to highlighting the risks associated with tobacco consumption and advocating for stronger policies for tobacco control and prevention.
Ms. Kpogo said this yearâs campaign called to attention the misleading marketing of so-called âTobacco Harm Reductionâ strategies through the consumption of e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products to lure people particularly the youth and the vulnerable population.
She noted that tobacco products merely extended the reach and lifespan of an industry that profits from addiction, and that it contributed to heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Mr. Benjamin Anabila, the Director of INSLA, stated that This yearâs theme reminds us that we cannot afford to be complacent, saying that behind the façade of sleek marketing lies the same deadly substance, nicotine, designed to hook users into a lifetime of dependence.
âWe must expose these tactics and protect the health of our people, especially the youth,â he said.
Mr. Anabila said with profit as their sole motive, the tobacco industry’s actions must be met with stringent regulations and evidence-based public health measures that safeguard communities from tobacco-related harm.
He emphasised the urgent need for collective action, including full implementation and enforcement of the Tobacco Control Measures under the Public Health Act.
Others are strict regulation of novel tobacco and nicotine products, including advertising bans and age restrictions, and comprehensive public education campaigns highlighting the risks of emerging tobacco products.
The rest are support for tobacco cessation programmes to help users quit successfully, and youth engagement and empowerment to resist industry manipulation and advocate for tobacco-free environments.
Mr. Anabila said INSLA remained committed to working with government agencies, civil society, healthcare providers, educators, and the media to strengthen advocacy, build institutional capacity, and promote a tobacco-free Ghana.
âWe call on all Ghanaians to stand firm against the normalisation of tobacco because the latest tobacco products are a wolf in sheep’s clothing – deceptively designed, tech-savvy, and socially normalized to lure in a new generation of users.
âTogether, we can protect public health, empower the youth, and advance Ghanaâs commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal â3â (Good Health and Well-being).
âLet us all remember: Behind the glamour and façade of âtobacco harm reductionâ lies a deadly trap to hook people on tobacco. Prioritise your health,â he concluded.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah