On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day today 31st May 2024, the Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF), in collaboration with Youth in Action (Y-ACT) and AMREF Health Africa, is undertaking a “Clear Lungs Clear Goals” campaign to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco use among young people. This initiative comes in response to the alarming rates of tobacco consumption among youth in West Africa and aims to address this critical public health issue head-on.
Despite significant global and regional efforts to reduce tobacco use, West Africa continues to see troubling trends in smoking rates among its youth. According to the recent “Situational Analysis on Policy Framework for Tobacco Control in West Africa,” conducted by researchers for the Youth Bridge Foundation tobacco use remains a prevalent habit with severe health implications. Nearly 20% of young people aged 13-15 use some form of tobacco, and many begin smoking at a very young age of 10.
The report underscores the importance of robust governmental support and the implementation of comprehensive tobacco control policies. While international frameworks like the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) provide valuable guidelines, the absence of a unified policy framework for West Africa highlights the need for cohesive and coordinated action across the region. Strengthening these policies is vital to effectively combat tobacco use and protect future generations.
Our Initiative
To mark World No Tobacco Day, the Youth Advisory Board of Youth Bridge Foundation, with support from Youth in Action and Amref Health Africa in Kenya are organizing an awareness event at the Accra Sports Stadium under the global theme “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference” with localized theme “Clear Lungs Clear Goals” to press on the message of winning in sporting competition and at the same time having a healthy life. Ghana’s hosting of the 2024 All African Games has created the sporting euphoria and we are aligning with the healthy sport lifestyle. This event will involve youth sportsmen and women, leveraging their influence to spread the message about the dangers of tobacco use. Our goal is to tap into the Ghanaian sports league to reduce substance use among players and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Call to Action
It is crucial to support and implement policies that restrict tobacco advertising, increase taxes on tobacco products, and enforce laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors.
- We urge the government to strengthen tobacco control policies in line with WHO FCTC guidelines and enhance collaboration among stakeholders.
- Enacting specific policies for electronic smoking including Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)
Furthermore, we call on:
- Young people to support each other in rejecting tobacco and to promote positive peer pressure.
- Parents to empower their wards to confidently say “no” to tobacco without fear of intimidation. Parents should encourage their children to defy orders or tobacco-related errands assertively. Building this confidence at home will help young people make healthier choices and resist peer pressure and coercion.
