The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has organized a stakeholder engagement on tobacco control measures in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, as part of the Tobacco Policy Action Fund for Africa (TOPAFA) project. The meeting brought together hotel management, bar owners, restaurant operators, food vendors, and other entertainment service providers to discuss strategies to combat tobacco use.
The TOPAFA project aims to assist governments in sub-Saharan African nations that have signed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The one-day programme was attended by 34 tobacco vendors and students, who learned about the dangers and consequences of smoking tobacco.
Eastern Regional Director of FDA, Ms. Anita Owusu Kuffour, warned about the dangers of tobacco use, stating, “It is so dangerous that there is nothing safe about it, and it can ruin everything from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.” She emphasized that many people are unaware of the significant harm caused by tobacco products and urged for better control of their use to minimize these negative effects.
As the Christmas season approaches, Ms. Kuffour emphasized the importance of engaging bar operators to raise awareness about the relevant norms and regulations, as well as the harmful effects of tobacco. She explained that one of the FDA’s mandates is to prohibit smoking in public places, and everyone must adhere to these regulations.
Ms. Kuffour referenced the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851, Section 58, which states that smoking is not allowed in enclosed indoor areas of workplaces or public areas, except in designated smoking areas. She warned that the authority has been conducting a monitoring operation and will confiscate tobacco products that do not bear warning signs, with offenders facing the full force of the law.
Ms. Kuffour urged all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines for selling tobacco at their facilities, stating that failure to display a “No Smoking” notice could result in closure by the FDA and serious legal consequences.
Participants at the programme expressed their appreciation for the education provided, with Ms. Margaret Gbadago stating that she had limited knowledge about the risks associated with tobacco use. Mr. Yaw Amponsah Isaac added that the education would help both dealers and smokers in minimizing the health risks related to smoking, emphasizing that prioritizing health over profit is crucial.
Statistics from the Tobacco Atlas indicate that over 6,700 Ghanaians die each year due to tobacco-related diseases, with 66 per cent of these deaths occurring in individuals under the age of 70.
