The Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Food and Drugs Authority and other Stakeholders will join the rest of the world to commemorate no Tobacco Day Today.
This is aimed at increasing awareness on the particular dangers of tobacco smoke to lung health and the fundamental role the lungs play in the health and well being of an individual.
It also aims at raising awareness on cost effective and feasible actions that key audiences, including governments and the public, can take to reduce the risks to lung health posed by tobacco.
Ghana has made significant progress to reduce tobacco use considerably by effectively enforcing the complementary smoke free policies through the implementation of the Public Health Act 2012, and the Tobacco Control Regulations.
Ghana recently introduced Pictorial Health Warnings on tobacco product packages which is aimed at effectively communicating health hazards associated with tobacco use.
Unfortunately, people continue to die and become sick needlessly, and the costs to society from tobacco use continue to mount.
In view of this year`s theme, “Tobacco and lung health, the WHO has reported on the extent of exposure to tobacco smoke and its effects on the health of people`s lungs worldwide.
These include lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the exacerbation of tuberculosis and the predisposition of infants to lower respiratory tract infections by second hand smoke.
Even though fewer men smoke in Ghana than on average in high income countries, there are still more than 425,200 men, 69,200 women and 2,700 boys who smoke cigarettes each day, killing about 75 men a week and making it an on-going dire public health threat.
On this day, the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders are appealing to smokers to quit the habit and regain their health.
