The 2025 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) campaign train is still moving through Ho, and on Day 2, it made strategic stops at Sonrise Christian High School and OLA Girls’ Senior High School to engage students on the dangers of tobacco use and the abuse of substances, including certain medicinal products.
The sensitization exercise, spearheaded by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), focused on creating awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco use and empowering the students with knowledge for a healthier future. Particular attention was paid to the misuse of products like Tapentadol—popularly known on the streets as “RED” and the increasing use of vapes and shisha, which are often wrongly marketed as safe alternatives.
The initiative, part of the week-long WNTD celebration in the Volta Region, aims to educate young people on the harmful effects of tobacco, including its addictive nature due to nicotine, and the risk of long-term health complications such as lung cancer, upper respiratory disorders, and even death.
Dr. Olivia Agyekoomaa Boateng, Director of the Tobacco and Substances of Abuse Directorate at the FDA, urged the students to stay away from all forms of tobacco products and other substances that are being abused and misused.
“These products, whether traditional cigarettes or modern alternatives like vapes and shisha, are all harmful. The youth must be vigilant and refuse to be deceived by the evolving tactics of the tobacco industry,” Dr. Boateng cautioned.
The students shared their gratitude for the educational sessions and shared insights on what they had learned, noting that the session had deepened their understanding of the dangers of substance abuse and that the information received would help them resist peer pressure and educate their peers.
In a related activity, the FDA organized a quiz competition for three junior high schools— the Ho Technical University Basic School, Bankoe Central Roman Catholic School, and Ho Dome E. P. JHS. The quiz tested the students’ knowledge on tobacco-related issues, with Ho Technical University Basic School emerging as the overall winner after the spirited competition.
The FDA’s continued effort to reach the youth is a significant step in the national campaign to reduce tobacco use and prevent the initiation of harmful habits among future generations.
