Mr. Solomon Foli, Programme Manager at Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), has issued a clarion call for nationwide collective action to confront the growing menace of tobacco and nicotine addiction, particularly among young people.
In a statement marking World No Tobacco Day 2025, Mr. Foli warned that tobacco companies are aggressively targeting youth through deceptive marketing strategies, such as flavoured products, attractive packaging, and social media promotions, making harmful substances appear harmless and trendy.
“The theme, ‘Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products’, is a wake-up call. These companies are deliberately crafting addiction as cool,” Mr. Foli stated. “Their goal is clear — lure the youth into lifelong dependency.”
He stressed that the fight against tobacco must no longer be left to only government officials, health professionals, and educators. Instead, he called for a united front involving parents, teachers, faith leaders, civil society, and young people themselves.
Ghana has made notable progress in tobacco control through policy, taxation, and public education. However, Mr. Foli warned that the emergence of e-cigarettes and vaping culture among teenagers and pre-teens now presents a new wave of addiction that could roll back these gains.
“We are seeing an alarming rise in nicotine use among young people — and it’s not by accident. It’s by design,” he said. “These products are being sold to children through slick digital campaigns and peer influence.”
Mr. Foli denounced misleading comparisons made by industry lobbyists who claim nicotine products are safe alternatives or liken them to preventive health tools. “Equating vaping to condom use is not only false but dangerous,” he stressed. “Condoms prevent harm; nicotine causes it.”
He called for urgent legislative and policy action, including:
- A ban on flavoured tobacco and nicotine products,
- Stronger regulation of e-cigarettes,
- Increased taxes on nicotine products,
- Empowering institutions like the FDA, Ministry of Health, and GRA to act against false advertising.
“We must not allow corporate profits to come at the expense of our youth’s wellbeing,” Mr. Foli said. “A tobacco-free future is possible — but only if we all act now.”
World No Tobacco Day, observed every May 31, is a global campaign to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce consumption.
