Group calls for ban on shisha

Vision for Alternative Development (VALD Ghana) has called for a ban on shisha in Ghana.

This is after it said it sighted a video in which some students from the Sunyani Senior High School were seen smoking shisha.

In a statement, the group said it was time “to take giant steps which go beyond education and sensitization.”

“We therefore call on the Ministry of Health and the FDA to as a matter of urgency begin the process of outlawing the products in Ghana. Many countries including, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon etc. have taken bold steps in banning shisha in their countries, because of the public health threat it will have on their children and their youth.”

The group also called for improved education on the effects of tobacco in education institutions.

“Also, there must be a deliberate plan to roll out education in our schools, especially the second cycle and tertiary institutions on the negative effects of tobacco use on their health,” it added.

On sanctions at the Sunyani school, the group said it was “even more disturbed about the action taken by the authorities of the school to suspend these girls.”

“The school authorities and the Ghana Education Service must be more concerned about the effects the product has had on these young girls and provide them some medical and counselling attention.”