Some Sunyani residents are calling for a total ban on importation of cigarette as a
measure to discourage smoking in the country.


As the world celebrated World No Tobacco Day on Tuesday, May 31, World Health
Organization statistics indicate tobacco use is the second cause of death globally
(after hypertension) and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults
worldwide.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control”
The Sunyani Municipal Health Director, Dr. David Opare and other health
professionals have been advocating the immediate the passage of the Tobacco Control
Bill into law.
Studies by the Ghana Health Service reveals about nine percent of Junior High School
students in Ghana smoke while 28 per cent of children are also exposed to tobacco.
The World No Tobacco Day highlights the health risks associated with tobacco use and
advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption.
The World Health Assembly created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global
attention to the tobacco epidemic and its lethal effects.
It provides an opportunity to highlight specific tobacco control messages and to
promote adherence to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Space FM’s Health reporter, Mavis Ankamah Quaye sums up her experience in the line
of duty as “tobacco use is the number one preventable epidemic that the health
community faces”.
Miss Mary Sunkwa Logo, an accountant with the Sunyani Education Unit of the
Methodist Doicese, told Space FM that government must put in place strict measures
to check the sale and usage of tobacco since it is seriously affecting the health of
the youth of the country.
Rev. Collins Tettey, the National Outreach Director of the Living Grace Ministries,
pointed out that until drastic measures are implemented, tobacco use may destroy a
greater portion of our human resources needed for national development.
He urged the churches to map out programmes to discourage the youth from patronising
the substance.
The Chief Executive of Ideas Travel and General Services, Mr. Christian Asante
Kontor, noted that government should use the world no tobacco day to discourage the
youth from smoking.