Nsawam: The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has organised its World No Tobacco Day awareness campaign, reaching over 850 students from Nsawam Senior High School at Okobeyeyie near Nsawam in the Eastern Region. Mrs. Anita Owusu Kuffour, Eastern Regional Director of the FDA, urged Ghanaian youth to avoid tobacco, marijuana, and nicotine products, warning that their use could jeopardize their future.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Kuffour emphasized that smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, with approximately 8 million fatalities annually, including 1.2 million from secondhand smoke exposure. She outlined the health risks associated with smoking, including respiratory infections, irregular heartbeat, asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, and lung cancer.

She highlighted that this year's World No Tobacco Day theme, 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,' aims to emphasize deceptive marketing strategies used by the tobacco industry to attract young consumers. Tobacco companies employ tactics such as appealing packaging, flavored products like shisha and vapes, and advertising campaigns that glamorize smoking.

These strategies increase the likelihood of youth initiation, leading to long-term health risks and economic burdens for individuals and families. Mrs. Kuffour also warned about the dangers of secondhand smoke, describing it as the involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke by non-smokers in environments where active smoking occurs.

Mr. Forson Pius, Senior House Master of Nsawam Senior High School, commended the FDA team for their educational efforts and encouraged students to apply the lessons learned, avoid social vices, and focus on their studies to become responsible future leaders.