The Ministry of Health has disclosed that tobacco-related diseases claim nearly 6,000 lives annually in Ghana, raising concerns about the increasing use of shisha and electronic cigarettes among young people.
Speaking at an event in Accra to commemorate World No Tobacco Day on June 2, 2026, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, cautioned the youth against the use of tobacco and nicotine products despite their growing popularity.
The minister, who was represented by the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafez Adam Taher, said tobacco products continue to pose a major public health threat, particularly to young people.
According to him, about 13.6 percent of Ghanaian youth use shisha, while approximately 2.2 percent smoke e-cigarettes. He added that nearly 450,000 adults in the country are regular smokers, with smoking prevalence higher among men than women.
Dr Taher noted that tobacco-related illnesses not only result in thousands of deaths each year but also impose an estimated economic burden of $600 million annually on the country.
He warned that tobacco companies are increasingly promoting products such as shisha and e-cigarettes as fashionable lifestyle choices in an attempt to attract young consumers.
Despite the concerns, the Health Ministry highlighted progress in tobacco control efforts, indicating that adult smoking rates have declined from 3 percent in 2017 to about 2.2 percent today.
The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Gayheart Edem Mensah, called on stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Also speaking at the event, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Ghana, Dr Fiona Braka, urged stronger measures to reduce tobacco consumption and improve public health outcomes across the country.
