'4.6% of JHS students in Ghana smokes'

The Ministry of Health is calling on smokers to stop the habit and regain their health.

In a statement to mark World No Tobacco Day which falls on May 31, on the theme: “End illicit trade of tobacco products,” the Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, advocates tobacco cessation.

According to the statement about 10 per cent of the adult population in Ghana smoke cigarette, including 4.6 per cent Junior High School students.

It said interventions such as intensive public education through the media and sensitisation of health personnel among others are being employed to curtail the situation.

It said Ghana has passed a public health law and completed its legislative instrument, which would be sent to Parliament.

The statement said the country has also signed the protocol on illicit trade and urged the public to recognise the adverse health, economic and social impact of illicit trade of tobacco products, including the linkages to human trafficking and organised drug crimes as well as terrorism.