A nationwide survey on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has identified an alarming rise in shisha smoking in the country, particularly among young women.

The survey found that shisha smoking is notably popular among persons aged 18 to 29 with 44 percent of women smokers actively engaging in it as compared to 6.6 percent of men smokers, attributing the reason to the perception that shisha is less harmful than manufactured cigarettes.

"The proportion of current smokers who smoke shisha is 7.8%, with its use being more prevalent among the 18–29-year age group and highest among women. While only 6.6% of men who currently smoke use shisha, 44.0% of women who currently smoke use shisha. This may be due to the perception that shisha is less harmful than manufactured cigarettes. Shisha smoking among the youth, particularly among females, is an increasing concern, and interventions are needed to address this issue," it noted.

It also found that daily smoking habits also show consistency in cigarette consumption, with smokers averaging three sticks per day.

"On average, smokers of manufactured cigarettes consume three sticks per day. The proportion of daily smokers using manufactured cigarettes, as well as the average number of cigarettes smoked per day, does not differ between urban and rural respondents," it added.

The findings are expected to serve as a baseline to inform Ghana’s strategies to combat NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

The survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023 followed WHO’s STEPwise approach and was supported by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), and development partners.

According to the WHO, the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing over 8 million people a year.

Out of these deaths, more than 7 million are the result of direct tobacco use, while around 1.3 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

WHO stresses tobacco use is particularly significant in low-and middle-income countries, where around 80% of the 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide live, leading to a heavier burden of tobacco-related illness and death in these regions.

Additionally, tobacco use contributes to poverty by diverting household spending from basic needs such as food and shelter to tobacco an issue compounded by the addictive nature of tobacco products.

JKB/ ADG

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