NGO pushes for more anti-tobacco campaign

Mr Samuel Dartey, an official of Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), a health oriented non-governmental organisation, has called on stakeholders in the health sector to deepen their commitment in the campaign against tobacco use.

He said such a sustained approach would help prevent diseases like lung, oral and neck cancers, as well as heart diseases which had been a drain on the nation’s resources.

Mr Dartey made the appeal on Friday at a community forum organised by VALD with support from the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS) at Bubiashie in Accra.

The event aimed at sensitising community members on the Public Health Act, (Act 851).

The sixth section of the Act, Tobacco Control Measures, bans tobacco smoking in public, advertisement of tobacco products and its sale.

Mr Dartey appealed to the youth to desist from the habit of smoking cigarettes which could cause them to die prematurely.

Miss Jessie Okae, a Community Health Support Team (CHEST) member of VALD in the Bubii Electoral Area, said tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals which include tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide among others.

She said inhaling the smoke over a long period by passive smokers can cause health problems like sore throat, respiratory and other bronchial diseases.

Miss Okae said: “tobacco is bent on destroying us and we should make a conscious effort to stay away from it; uphold the law and help each other to quit smoking.  We need every Ghanaian physically and mentally strong to help to advance the development of our great nation.”

She said, “If we are able to quit smoking, not only will our bodies feel the benefits of quitting, but the balance in our banks will also see some positive difference”.

Source: GNA