Ghana officially launched World No Tobacco Day 2025 today in Ho, Volta Region, with a resolute call to “Unmask the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.” In a statement read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized the nation’s firm commitment to combating the devastating impact of tobacco use and safeguarding public health.
The minister condemned the tobacco industry’s “aggressive tactics to glamorize smoking,” stressing the urgent need to strip away these illusions and reveal the true cost of tobacco on health, the economy, and society. He highlighted alarming statistics, noting that tobacco use is responsible for over 8 million deaths globally each year, with Ghana alone losing 5,574 lives annually to tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.
Drawing from the recent Ghana STEPS Report 2023, the Minister cited concerning trends including an overall smoking prevalence of 4.8%, with men significantly more likely to smoke (9.3%) than women (0.3%). Particularly troubling is the rising trend among younger generations, who are initiating smoking at an average age of just 18.7 years. Shisha smoking also presents a growing concern, with a prevalence of 7.8%, notably high among younger age groups and 44% among women. The report further revealed widespread exposure to secondhand smoke, especially in workplace environments.
Hon. Mintah Akandoh reaffirmed Ghana’s robust tobacco control efforts, including the ratification of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the enactment of strict national regulations. These include comprehensive laws banning tobacco advertising, graphic health warnings on packaging, bans on smoking in public places, and recent excise duty increases to reduce affordability.
“Tobacco and non-tobacco products are not glamorous—they are deadly. They do not enhance lifestyles—they destroy lives. They do not promote freedom—they trap users in a cycle of addiction and disease,” Minister Akandoh declared.
He assured the government’s unwavering commitment to providing the necessary resources for the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other agencies to enforce tobacco control measures effectively.
Concluding his address, the Minister made a fervent call to all stakeholders—public health practitioners, non-governmental organizations, and the media—to collaborate in developing effective interventions and disseminating tobacco control messages within their communities.
“Together, let us unmask the deception of the tobacco industry and create a future where tobacco no longer has a place in our society,” he noted.