Accra: Ms Francisca Amuzu, a Youth Advocate with the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), has called on the government and other stakeholders to take decisive action to protect the youth from the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry. She emphasized the need for a collective effort to shield young people from being drawn into addiction cycles by products such as shisha, vapes, and e-cigarettes, which are often marketed as safer alternatives.

According to Ghana News Agency, Ms Amuzu highlighted that despite the appealing marketing strategies, tobacco and nicotine products continue to pose significant health risks. She underscored the potential for serious pregnancy complications and increased vulnerability to respiratory issues, heart disease, and cancers. Ms Amuzu criticized the tobacco industry’s use of influencers to glamorize addiction and exploit vulnerabilities among the youth.

Ms Amuzu’s statement, issued in observance of the 2025 World No Tobacco Day, urged comprehensive action from various sectors, including the government, health services, education services, and civil society organizations. She stressed the importance of unmasking the deceptive practices of the tobacco industry and encouraged young women and girls to resist these manipulative tactics, asserting that belonging and self-worth do not have to come at the expense of health.

Ms Amuzu concluded by calling for unity and empowerment among young people to demand a future free from the influence of the tobacco industry, emphasizing that their voices and dreams are valid and deserve protection from harm.