The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has warned young people against the growing use of shisha and electronic cigarettes, cautioning that despite their appeal, both products pose serious health risks, including cancer and premature death.
Speaking at the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day in Accra on Tuesday, June 2, the minister said tobacco and nicotine products continue to pose a significant public health threat, particularly among the youth.
The event was held under the theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”
Represented by the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafez Adam Taher, Mr Akandoh disclosed that an estimated 13.6 per cent of young people in Ghana use shisha, while about 2.2 per cent smoke e-cigarettes. He added that nearly 450,000 adults in the country are regular smokers, with tobacco use more prevalent among men than women.
The minister said tobacco-related illnesses claim about 6,000 lives annually in Ghana and impose an estimated economic burden of $600 million each year.
He noted, however, that Ghana has made significant progress in tobacco control and remains a leading example in the region.
“This progress demonstrates that public health interventions, policy measures and sustained education campaigns are making a difference,” he said.
Mr Akandoh expressed concern over what he described as deliberate marketing strategies by tobacco and nicotine companies aimed at attracting young people. He argued that products such as shisha are often packaged as trendy and harmless alternatives, despite their harmful long-term effects.
According to him, Ghana’s success in reducing tobacco use has been driven by a combination of public awareness campaigns, strong legislation and collective action by stakeholders.
He highlighted a decline in adult smoking rates from 3 per cent in 2017 to about 2.2 per cent currently, describing the trend as evidence that tobacco control measures are yielding results.
The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Gayheart Edem Mensah, said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the devastating health and economic consequences of tobacco use.
He stressed that the commemoration should also serve as a reminder of Ghana’s commitment to protecting current and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
Mr Mensah noted that Ghana remains bound by both the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and provisions of the Public Health Act, which place a responsibility on authorities and citizens to safeguard public health.
Also speaking at the event, the World Health Organisation’s Representative to Ghana, Dr Fiona Braka, called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners and communities to tackle tobacco use.
She acknowledged the progress made across Africa through tobacco control policies, including the introduction of health warnings and other preventive measures aimed at reducing consumption.
Dr Braka commended the Ministry of Health, Parliament and civil society organisations for their contributions to Ghana’s achievements in tobacco control, while urging continued efforts to curb nicotine addiction and protect vulnerable populations, particularly young people.
