The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in collaboration with its key stakeholders has marked this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in Accra. It was on the theme “Protecting children from Tobacco Industry Interference”.
Addressing stakeholders at the event on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Authority, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Yvonne Nkrumah, said the FDA together with other stakeholders are embarking on a journey of awareness creation, dedicated to shedding light on the dark shadows cast by tobacco on our health and well-being.
She also reiterated that the focus has been sharpened this year with the theme
“It’s a theme that strikes a chord deep within us, resonating with our collective commitment to safeguarding our future generations from the clutches of a harmful industry. We aim to raise awareness by illuminating the dark alleys of tobacco’s impact on health and shielding our children from the insidious influence of the tobacco industry.” She noted.
She further added that the Food and Drugs Authority, as mandated by the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851), stands unwavering in its commitment to enforce tobacco control measures and will intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers of tobacco, including shisha and emerging trends in electronic nicotine delivery products.
On his part, a representative of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Frank John Lule indicated that tobacco use is declining in 150 countries, and there are now 19 million fewer smokers globally than there were two years ago. He also affirmed that there has been progress in tobacco control while recognizing the challenges in efforts to stop the tactics employed by the tobacco industry to frustrate tobacco control efforts.
“As part of efforts to protect people, especially young people, from tobacco industry interference, Ghana is being supported through the FCTC Project 2030 to sustain a consistent momentum in tobacco control by pushing for robust tobacco regulations, stringent controls on marketing strategies for new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products which are often designed to attract young people.’” he added.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah noted that as part of the grand plan of reducing tobacco use in the country, Ghana recently introduced the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2022 amending the Excise Duty Act 2014. Through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Project 2030, there has been the successful development of a 5-year National Tobacco Control Strategy which is being implemented, marked improvement and strengthening of inter-agency coordination, revision of the smoke-free policy, implementation and enforcement on the ban on tobacco advertisement.
The Minister therefore made a clarion call to all stakeholders, emphasizing the fact that the tobacco industry lures children into using these products with their packaging.
“Children are particularly vulnerable to the deceptive tactics of tobacco companies. They are lured by colorful packaging, misleading flavors, and manipulative marketing campaigns. The industry preys on their curiosity and attachment to our social media platforms, attempting to create a new generation of addicted customers.” He added
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on 31 May. The annual observance informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
By Derick Botsyoe || ghananewsonline.com.gh