Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana) has thrown its full support behind the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, for calling on government to ban e-cigarettes, shisha, and other tobacco products targeting the youth.

In a statement released on Tuesday, July 15, VAST-Ghana described Mr Ayariga’s appeal as a bold and timely move. “This timely initiative aligns with our mission to safeguard the health, well-being, and future of Ghana’s children and young people, who are increasingly vulnerable to the deceptive allure of these harmful substances,” the organisation stated.

The group called on policymakers and stakeholders to join the effort, warning that the rise in youth tobacco use is becoming a health emergency. “The surge in e-cigarette, flavoured vapes, shisha and other emerging tobacco products use among Ghanaian youth is a public health emergency,” it warned.

Citing data from the 2023 Ghana STEP Survey, VAST-Ghana noted that shisha use among young people now stands at 7.8%, with women and youth being disproportionately affected.

The organisation also pointed to findings from the 2024 Investment Case for Tobacco Control in Ghana, which revealed that over 6,700 lives are lost annually to tobacco use. Of these, 66% of deaths occur before age 70, and 18% result from secondhand smoke exposure. The economic toll is estimated at GHC 668 million each year.

VAST-Ghana stressed the severe health effects of tobacco in all its forms. “Whether smoked through cigarettes or waterpipes, or consumed as smokeless variants, tobacco products are saturated with more than 7,000 chemicals of which at least 250 are known to be toxic and over 70 are confirmed carcinogens,” the group stated.

Referencing guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), the group highlighted that a single shisha session can expose users to as much smoke as 100 cigarettes. E-cigarettes, while often marketed as safer alternatives, still deliver nicotine “a highly addictive substance that affects cardiovascular health, impairs brain development in adolescents, and contributes to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues,” the statement added.

The group also criticised how easily young people can access these products. “E-cigarettes and shisha are readily available in shops, kiosks, and markets, often near schools,” it said, citing recent seizures by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). “Priced affordably and packaged attractively, these products are designed to ensnare young people to become addicts.”

Despite existing legislation such as the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851) and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247), VAST-Ghana said enforcement remains weak and industries are exploiting loopholes to continue targeting the youth.

To address the crisis, VAST-Ghana called for a nationwide ban on the importation, sale, distribution, and marketing of e-cigarettes, shisha, and flavoured tobacco products. The group stated that the Public Health Act and L.I. 2247 already provide a legal foundation to expand restrictions and cover these emerging products.

They also urged the NYA CEO to work closely with the Food and Drugs Authority, law enforcement, and civil society organisations to tackle illicit trade and ensure strict compliance with advertising and sales restrictions. This partnership, they said, is key to enforcing the law effectively and protecting the youth.

VAST-Ghana further recommended raising taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages, in line with World Health Organization advice, to reduce their affordability and accessibility, particularly to young people.

The group also called for a total ban on online advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and sale of such harmful products, especially on digital platforms frequently accessed by the youth. They believe the internet has become a critical space where harmful products are marketed to young people in misleading ways.

Additionally, they proposed launching nationwide awareness campaigns, building on the FDA’s “Daabi – Say No to Drug Abuse” initiative, to educate the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes and shisha. They urged the use of schools, media, and community forums to counter false claims and challenge the industry’s efforts to glamourise harmful habits.

“Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow they are the heart of today’s Ghana. Yet their potential is being sabotaged by products and industries that prioritise profit over lives,” the organisation said.

VAST-Ghana pledged continued support for collaborative efforts with government agencies, schools, families, and young people to create a healthier, smoke-free Ghana. “Let us rise together to protect our youth, reclaim our public spaces, and build a resilient Ghana where every young person has the chance to thrive in health, dignity, and hope.”