A survey which was conducted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has revealed that some 53.5 per cent of tobacco on the Ghanaian market is illegal.
The research was conducted during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic at the country’s border towns, by the School of Public Health of KNUST. It was conducted on the theme; ‘Tobacco control capacity programme dissemination and engagement’.
Dr Arte Singh, a research fellow with the Tobacco Control Programme, speaking at a seminar to promote the paper said that the findings are concerning and show non-compliance with border regulations.
According to him, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the government should expedite action on the ratification of the tobacco protocols.
Meanwhile, the FDA has stated that arrangements for the implementation and enforcement of the illegal tobacco protocol treaty, which will be incorporated into UN treaties, are well advanced.
Ms Olivia Agyekumwaa Boateng, the FDA’s Chief Regulatory Officer and Head of the Tobacco and Substance Abuse Department, confirmed this.
