By Albert Allotey, GNA
Accra, June 3, GNA – The Jaishi Youth Initiative, a non-governmental organisation has called for urgent and innovative action to protect the Ghanaian youth from the growing influence of the tobacco and nicotine industry.
Mr Benefo Isaac Amposah, the Executive Director of the NGO made the call in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency to join the globe to commemorate the 2026 World No Tobacco Day.
He said the theme for the Day: “Unmask the Appeal – Countering Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction” was more relevant to Ghana.
He stated that across the world, tobacco and nicotine companies are redesigning their products, marketing strategies, and communication channels to make addiction appear attractive, modern, and socially acceptable.
“Through appealing product designs, digital marketing, social media influence, flavoured products and subtle promotional tactics, the industry continues to target young people and create a new generation of nicotine-dependent consumers,” he pointed out.
Mr Ampomah said in Ghana, while progress has been made in tobacco control, evidence on the ground suggested that the tobacco and nicotine industry was adapting faster than our regulatory and enforcement systems.
“The industry continues to identify new opportunities to attract young people, while public health responses often remain reactive rather than proactive,” he noted.
He said Jaishi Youth Initiative being youth-led organization was committed to protecting future generations and that it was concerned that Ghana’s tobacco control efforts were not adequately responding to emerging threats.
“The reality is that the tobacco industry is awake, innovative and strategic, while the systems established to protect young people risk falling behind,” The Executive Director stated.
He said the World No Tobacco Day should therefore serve as a wake-up call for regulators, policymakers, and public health institutions, adding, “Ghana cannot afford to fight today’s tobacco epidemic with yesterday’s strategies.
“The rise of new nicotine products, digital promotion and youth-targeted marketing demands new thinking, stronger surveillance, enhanced enforcement and greater investment in youth-centred tobacco prevention initiatives.”
Mr Amposah called on the Food and Drugs Authority, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen monitoring of emerging tobacco and nicotine products, close regulatory gaps, increase public education and actively involve young people in the design and implementation of tobacco control interventions.
“Every young Ghanaian protected from nicotine addiction represents a healthier future for our nation. Every young person lost to tobacco or nicotine addiction represents a preventable failure of public health policy,” he pointed out.
He said as the nation marked the Day the Jaishi Youth Initiative stood with young people across Ghana in demanding stronger protection from tobacco industry interference and renewed commitment to innovative tobacco control measures that could effectively counter the evolving tactics of an industry determined to recruit the next generation of users.
“The tobacco industry is innovating. Ghana’s response must innovate faster.”
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei