The Executive Director of Programs at Vision for Alternative Development, Mr. Labram Musah, has urged the government to put huge taxes and levies on the importation of Tobacco Products as this will hugely discourage its imports and purchases.
According to him, tobacco has no benefits to the human body, as it is the leading cause of cancer in the world today. He made these statements on ‘Me man Nti’ Morning Show at Obuasi-based Aseda FM.
‘Tobacco is the major cause of the world’s cancer. It destroys the voice box, esophagus, liver, lungs, and even the heart. It is also one of the causes of breast cancer in women. It reduces the male vitality as well.’
Mr. Musah continued that, the leading cause of death in the world today is as a result of the effects of tobacco usage. He is calling on the government to legislate the use of tobacco in Ghana.
‘Tobacco does not only affect the human body. It also affects the environment. Some causes of the bush burning are by the pieces of cigarettes left unquenched by smokers. Again, those pieces left are washed away into water bodies and these affect the aquatic life. Over 7000 chemicals are used in the production of a single stick of cigar.’
‘We cannot ban the use of tobacco outrightly but the government can impose huge levies on its importation to make it expensive to purchase. Cigarettes are less expensive in this country.’ He added.
World No-Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31st. These yearly celebrations inform the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies and what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight the use of Tobacco and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect the future generations.