Accra, June 02, GNA-The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has asked for support from stakeholders to modify some aspects of their customs in relation to tobacco use.

Chief Asigri Bewong, the Chief of Sakoti, speaking on behalf of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, said tobacco was a requirement for marriage ceremonies in the Northern part of Ghana and the creation of their forefathers, which require conscious efforts by stakeholders to change.

“It is our belief that our ancestors still watch whatever we do. If there is the need to modify any part of what they bequeathed to us, we need to notify them by communicating with them.”

This would, however, require support from other stakeholders, such as the district assemblies, civil society organisations and health workers,” it added.

Chief Bewong made this known at the launch of 2022 World No Tobacco on the theme: “Tobacco: Threat to our Environment”.

The event organised by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) sought to raise awareness among the public on the environmental impact of tobacco.

He explained that the Chieftaincy Act 759 section 727C enjoins them to modify aspects of their customs which seem to be injurious and outmoded.

The Act says in part, “Undertake an evaluation of traditional customs and usage with a view to eliminating those customs and usage that are outmoded and socially harmful. We Shall therefore look for the necessary logistic support and ban its use in the customary ritual.” Chief Bewong stated.

He assured that the Regional House of Chiefs would convene all the traditional councils for education on tobacco-related diseases and push for its total ban on their dowry requirement.

The Chief also called for an alternative livelihood for tobacco farmers in the Region to help eliminate the use of the substance.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world, with most of these deaths now occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is at an early stage of a tobacco epidemic and is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to rapid growth in tobacco consumption.

More than a decade into the implementation of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), State Parties in several countries in SSA, such as Ghana, are yet to fully fulfil their obligations.

Despite early ratification of the FCTC in 2004, progress in implementing tobacco control measures in Ghana has been slow and much work remains to be done.

The Upper East Region has been identified for its cultural impediments to tobacco control and as such the launch was to set the pace for engagement in exploring culturally acceptable alternatives to the utilization of tobacco as a cultural staple in the Northern part of the country.

Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, speaking on the dangers tobacco brings to people and the environment noted that globally, smoking emitted nearly 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide and 5.2 billion kilograms of methane into the atmosphere each year.

“This gives a clear picture of how smoking alone contributes to climate change,” he stated.

According to the Tobacco Atlas, more than 6,700 Ghanaians died every year due to tobacco-related illnesses of which 66 per cent of these deaths were individuals under age 70.

The Minister noted that about 18 per cent of Ghanaians died from tobacco use due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Mr Agyemang-Manu said across the world, the tobacco industry had tried to “greenwash” its damaging practices by underestimating the impact of tobacco on the environment.

WHO reports have indicated that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts not disposed of properly annually across the globe, generate 1.69 billion pounds of toxic waste and release thousands of chemicals into the air, water and soil.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, called on African governments to impose environmental tax levies on tobacco across the value and supply chains, including production, processing, distribution, sales, consumption and waste management.

She encouraged countries to accelerate the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which provides the necessary guidance to advance the creation of smoke-free environments, to create programmes to support tobacco users to quit and to support the application of excise tax and other financial countermeasures.

“Reducing tobacco consumption is a key catalyst towards realizing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals but, as the environmental evidence illustrates, the benefits go far beyond health.” Dr Moeti stated.

Mrs Delese Mimi Darko, the Chief Executive of the FDA, at the event spoke on the measures being enforced by the Government under the Public Health Act, 2012 and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247) to protect minors from the influence of tobacco.

She called on individuals, government organizations, and stakeholders to forge on with the campaign for a tobacco-free society.

GNA

Accra, June 02, GNA-The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has asked for support from stakeholders to modify some aspects of their customs in relation to tobacco use.

Chief Asigri Bewong, the Chief of Sakoti, speaking on behalf of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, said tobacco was a requirement for marriage ceremonies in the Northern part of Ghana and the creation of their forefathers, which require conscious efforts by stakeholders to change.

“It is our belief that our ancestors still watch whatever we do. If there is the need to modify any part of what they bequeathed to us, we need to notify them by communicating with them.”

This would, however, require support from other stakeholders, such as the district assemblies, civil society organisations and health workers,” it added.

Chief Bewong made this known at the launch of 2022 World No Tobacco on the theme: “Tobacco: Threat to our Environment”.

The event organised by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) sought to raise awareness among the public on the environmental impact of tobacco.

He explained that the Chieftaincy Act 759 section 727C enjoins them to modify aspects of their customs which seem to be injurious and outmoded.

The Act says in part, “Undertake an evaluation of traditional customs and usage with a view to eliminating those customs and usage that are outmoded and socially harmful. We Shall therefore look for the necessary logistic support and ban its use in the customary ritual.” Chief Bewong stated.

He assured that the Regional House of Chiefs would convene all the traditional councils for education on tobacco-related diseases and push for its total ban on their dowry requirement.

The Chief also called for an alternative livelihood for tobacco farmers in the Region to help eliminate the use of the substance.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world, with most of these deaths now occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is at an early stage of a tobacco epidemic and is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to rapid growth in tobacco consumption.

More than a decade into the implementation of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), State Parties in several countries in SSA, such as Ghana, are yet to fully fulfil their obligations.

Despite early ratification of the FCTC in 2004, progress in implementing tobacco control measures in Ghana has been slow and much work remains to be done.

The Upper East Region has been identified for its cultural impediments to tobacco control and as such the launch was to set the pace for engagement in exploring culturally acceptable alternatives to the utilization of tobacco as a cultural staple in the Northern part of the country.

Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, speaking on the dangers tobacco brings to people and the environment noted that globally, smoking emitted nearly 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide and 5.2 billion kilograms of methane into the atmosphere each year.

“This gives a clear picture of how smoking alone contributes to climate change,” he stated.

According to the Tobacco Atlas, more than 6,700 Ghanaians died every year due to tobacco-related illnesses of which 66 per cent of these deaths were individuals under age 70.

The Minister noted that about 18 per cent of Ghanaians died from tobacco use due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Mr Agyemang-Manu said across the world, the tobacco industry had tried to “greenwash” its damaging practices by underestimating the impact of tobacco on the environment.

WHO reports have indicated that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts not disposed of properly annually across the globe, generate 1.69 billion pounds of toxic waste and release thousands of chemicals into the air, water and soil.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, called on African governments to impose environmental tax levies on tobacco across the value and supply chains, including production, processing, distribution, sales, consumption and waste management.

She encouraged countries to accelerate the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which provides the necessary guidance to advance the creation of smoke-free environments, to create programmes to support tobacco users to quit and to support the application of excise tax and other financial countermeasures.

“Reducing tobacco consumption is a key catalyst towards realizing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals but, as the environmental evidence illustrates, the benefits go far beyond health.” Dr Moeti stated.

Mrs Delese Mimi Darko, the Chief Executive of the FDA, at the event spoke on the measures being enforced by the Government under the Public Health Act, 2012 and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247) to protect minors from the influence of tobacco.

She called on individuals, government organizations, and stakeholders to forge on with the campaign for a tobacco-free society.

GNA