Media, FDA must not relent in fight against secondhand smoking

Secondhand smoke poses grave danger to the health of non smokers

Dear Editor,

As I walk through public spaces, I’m reminded of the lingering threat of secondhand smoke.

Despite the progress in anti-smoking campaigns, innocent bystanders continue to suffer from the harmful effects of secondhand smoking.

The facts are alarming.

Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which are carcinogenic.

Tobacco use in Ghana is said to result in over 6,700 deaths annually with related illness accounting for 3 per cent deaths in the country.

These includes cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory conditions.

According to the Centre for Disease Control Prevention, a 100 per cent smoke-free and tobacco-free environment is the most comprehensive approach to ensure health and safety.

Children are particularly vulnerable, with increased risk of asthma, bronchitis, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke face higher risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight.

To protect public health, there should be stricter enforcement of smoke-free laws initiated by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in public spaces.

Smoking at these public places such as pubs, restaurants, work places, supermarkets, children’s playground and hospitals should be discourage and culprit punished to serve as deterrent to others.

The media should also increase awareness campaigns highlighting secondhand smoke risks.

We must prioritise the health and well-being of nonsmokers to ensure a healthy environment by partnering the FDA to stop secondhand smoking.

It is a collective responsibility and we must all come on board to support the FDA to address this concern in the country.

Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi,

Accra