'No form of tobacco is safe for consumption, shisha isn't safe' - FDA warns

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) states that no tobacco is safe. This includes vaporizers, shisha, and gum.

Dr. Mrs. Olivia Agyekuma Boateng leads the Tobacco and Substances of Abuse Division at the FDA. She explains that all tobacco products contain nicotine and harmful chemicals.

“There is no safe form of tobacco,” she said. “Whether you sniff, inhale, or chew it, none are safe.” She spoke to the media during a medical outreach for World No Tobacco Day.

She urged young people to ignore claims that some tobacco forms are safe. She dismissed the idea that smoking shisha is harmless because of its water filtration system.

“For shisha, the smoke still contains toxic chemicals,” she explained. “You inhale those chemicals directly.”

She also noted that electronic nicotine delivery systems have unsafe chemicals too. These products can cause cancer, infertility, impotence, and cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Boateng observed a trend where youth switch from regular tobacco to vaporizers. This shift occurs due to industry myths about safety and increased education on traditional tobacco.

“We see that regular tobacco is less trendy now,” she said. “Vaping and shisha use are on the rise.” She reiterated that there is no safe form of tobacco.

Nicotine is highly addictive, she warned. Once someone starts using it, they often get hooked. Tobacco can also lead to harder drug use.

Parents should monitor what their children read and do online, she advised. They need to engage with social media like their kids do.

Dr. Boateng called for a multi-sectoral approach to reduce tobacco use in the country for better public health.

Gordon Akurugu, Volta Regional Director of the FDA, emphasized their commitment to highlighting tobacco's harmful effects. He noted this has led to reduced consumption in Ghana.

“We will continue until everyone understands smoking isn’t good,” he stated.

He mentioned ongoing surveillance at Ghana-Togo borders due to smuggling concerns. The FDA aims to clamp down on illegal imports effectively.

“Our team now works 24/7 at the borders,” he said. “Even at midnight, we have staff ready to intercept smuggled products.”