Shisha, vapes, e-cigarattes are destroying children at a fast rate – VALD Ghana cautions
Vision for Alternative Development, Ghana (VALD-Ghana) has called for a total ban on tobacco usage among children and young people.
In a press statement issued to mark World No-Tobacco Day on May 31, 2024, the non-governmental organization (NGO) bemoaned the tobacco industry’s manipulative tactics, including the use of digital media and child-friendly flavours that attract young users.
This year’s World No-Tobacco Day is under the theme, “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”.
” Ghana stands at a crucial juncture in its fight against tobacco use, despite the commendable efforts to reduce the use of tobacco. Nicotine, a highly addictive substance, makes products like e-cigarettes and vapes injurious to health, particularly to the developing brains of young people when they are exposed to it.
“Despite the claim by the tobacco industry that these products are safer alternatives, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global tobacco industry organizations have warned that these new products pose a grave threat to children and young people and tobacco control efforts.
“The affordability and accessibility of cigarettes, including e-cigarettes, in recent times is encouraging underage smoking and perpetuating addiction among the youth. The country is still facing difficulties in regulating the ban of a single sale of cigarettes on the Ghanaian market, increasing and exposing children and young people to these products.
“This easy access demands immediate attention and stringent enforcement of existing laws. Jorge Alday, Director of STOP at Vital Strategies, emphasized the industry’s relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of public health: “The terrible truth is that eight million people every year die from tobacco use,” excerpts of the statement noted.
VALD-Ghana, in the press statement, indicated that a recent study conducted by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) highlights the prevalence and societal perceptions of non-combustible electronic tobacco products like vaping, e-cigarettes, and new emerging tobacco and nicotine products, providing a foundation for developing policies to protect public health.
The report reveals that the industry is aggressively marketing e-cigarettes and vapes using online and digital platforms.
“Despite laws banning smoking in public places, the practice remains prevalent, normalizing tobacco use and exposing non-smokers to secondhand smoke. The absence of regulations on smoking in movies further undermines public health initiatives. Implementing measures to limit such portrayals is crucial to protecting youth from adopting hazardous habits.
“The trend of shisha smoking, particularly among young people, is alarming and has huge health effects. Research indicates that a single shisha session can be equivalent to smoking 100 to 200 sticks of cigarettes, which makes shisha use more devastating to health.
“The 2017 Ghana Youth Tobacco Survey showed 1.7% of girls compared to 0.4% of boys smoked shisha, posing significant health risks and acting as a precursor to future cigarette use. Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO, at an event recently highlighted the industry’s exploitation of digital and social media, delivery apps, and other innovative ways to reach children.
“He noted that child-friendly flavoured e-cigarettes combined with sleek and colourful designs that resemble toys are blatant attempts to addict young people to harmful products.
“Currently, we have about 16,000 flavours that are very appealing to children and young people—fruity flavours, candy, bubble gum and vanilla ice cream,” he said.
“VALD-Ghana, on this day, urged stakeholders to emphasize the need for transparent, robust regulatory approaches at national, regional, and global levels. Advocacy efforts should focus on protecting children and young people from the harms of tobacco and nicotine products, aligning with WHO’s call to action on electronic cigarettes. It is crucial to scrutinize and remain vigilant against groups promoting industry-friendly policies,” the statement further stated.
“Urgent action is needed to prevent the uptake of e-cigarettes, which are harmful to health, especially for children, smokers and non-smokers.
“VALD-Ghana strongly continues to advocate for a ban on these products, which offer no public health benefits,” the statement signed by the Executive Director of VALD-Ghana, Labram M. Musah, added.
Find the full statement below;