Ghana has one of Africa's lowest smoking rates at 4.8%, but the World Health Organisation warns that this achievement is under threat from the growing culture of shisha lounges and vape shops. The WHO cautions that the rising popularity of shisha, vapes, and other emerging nicotine products could undo the progress Ghana has made in curbing tobacco use, with young people identified as the group most at risk.
Ghana's main legal tools against tobacco use are the Public Health Act and its accompanying Tobacco Control Regulations, which restrict smoking in public places, regulate advertising, and curb sales to minors. However, these laws were drafted before shisha lounges and vape retailers became common, meaning they were not built with these products specifically in mind.
Shisha and vapes have grown in popularity among younger consumers who may not see them as carrying the same risks as traditional cigarettes. Health advocates in West Africa have begun pushing for regulation aimed specifically at e-cigarettes and flavoured nicotine products marketed to young people, reflecting concern that existing tobacco laws have not kept pace with the shift in what young people are actually smoking or vaping.
The concern for public health officials is that if shisha and vape use grows unchecked among Ghana's youth, the country's hard-won position as one of Africa's lowest-prevalence smoking nations could erode over time. These products often come in flavoured, socially normalised formats and are sold in settings that feel more like leisure spots than tobacco outlets, reaching young Ghanaians who would otherwise never have taken up cigarettes.
The available reporting does not indicate any specific new legislation, enforcement action, or government timeline in response to the WHO's warning. It is not yet clear whether Ghana's health authorities plan to update the Public Health Act or the Tobacco Control Regulations to explicitly cover shisha lounges and vape retailers, or whether any consultations are underway.
The WHO's caution stands as a call for vigilance rather than an announcement of concrete policy change, leaving open the question of how — and when — Ghana's regulatory framework might catch up with the products already on sale in its cities. The Ghanaian Times reported that the country's low smoking figures should not breed complacency, given how fast these newer products are spreading among the youth.
The WHO's warning highlights the need for Ghana to reassess its regulatory framework and consider updating its laws to address the growing popularity of shisha lounges and vape shops. The country's success in tobacco control to date should not be taken for granted, and proactive measures are needed to prevent a potential increase in smoking rates among young people.
Key points
- The World Health Organisation warns that Ghana's low smoking rate is at risk due to the growing popularity of shisha lounges and vape shops.
- Ghana's existing tobacco laws may not be adequate to address the growing use of shisha and vapes among young people.
- The country's regulatory framework may need to be updated to explicitly cover shisha lounges and vape retailers.
