Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), an NGO, has called on the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Board to, in line with the constitution of Ghana, design and implement a comprehensive policy to ensure a total "ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship" in the country.
Source: Public Agenda in Accra (via All Africa.com)
Government Urged to Ban Tobacco Adverts - AllAfrica
September 17, 2008
Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), an NGO, has called on the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Board to, in line with the constitution of Ghana, design and implement a comprehensive policy to ensure a total "ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship" in the country.
"The policy should consider the maximum protection of minors, women and vulnerable groups from false and misleading messages. The policy should in addition ban indirect advertising and ensure the participation of civil society in reporting its implementation and violation."
Ghana is a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which it ratified in June 2004 and deposited at the UN headquarters in November 2004.
In a press release signed by its Programme Director, Labram Musah Massawudu the NGO says tobacco companies operating in the country are violating provisions of the convention which are aimed at protecting consumers from the harmful effects of tobacco.
"FCTC is being violated by British American Tobacco (BAT), Ghana and other tobacco industries operating in Ghana. BAT and the marketers of Gold Seal and Capital cigarettes, knowing that the FCTC bans tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship are still engaged in massive and intensive advertisement aimed at targeting children, the youth and poor communities."
The objective of the FCTC "is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by providing a framework for tobacco control measures to be implemented by the parties at the national, regional and international levels in order to reduce continually and substantially the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke."
Citing examples, VALD noted that a tour of most Streets in places like Nima, Maamobi, Kanda, Ridge and other deprived communities reveals posters "on walls, trees and shops close to schools" as well as umbrellas advertising Pall Mall, Gold Seal and Capital cigarettes. "Meanwhile the messages are directed and attractive to children and the youth. Pall Mall branded cars day in and out patrol in and around the capital city trading in their products which have been proven to be deadly. This behaviours of BAT violates Article 13 of the FCTC."
VALD alleged further that for some years now, during the muslim festivities of Eid-ul-fitr, Gold Seal and Capital cigarettes (new brands of tobacco products) have been organizing a rap and dance competitions for young people between the ages of 10 and 25 in Mamobi and surrounding communities.
"The above events are clear violation of article 13 of the FCTC which states: "prohibit the use of false, misleading and deceptive messages and tactics to recruit minors into smoking" this are the tactics the industries are using in Ghana and other countries to mislead the young ones to smoke."
VALD has cause to believe that "the tobacco industry's internal documents state that to maintain it profit margin and customers, the youth and children must be recruited into smoking."
It quoted from international sources to support its call for an end to tobacco adverts in the country. "There is now incontrovertible evidence that marketing of tobacco promote youth smoking and can cause young people to begin smoking," said University of Minnesota Professor Barbara Loken, a scientific editor. "This direct link between marketing and tobacco use is very powerful," she added.
Also, a report Tobacco Marketing Promotes Youth Smoking released by the National Cancer Institute of US concludes that "tobacco advertising targets psychological needs of adolescents, such as popularity and peer acceptance. Advertising creates the perception that smoking satisfies these needs. The report further state that brief exposure to tobacco advertising influences adolescents' perceptions about smoking, smokers, and adolescents' intentions to smoke."
The report suggested that a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is an effective policy intervention that prevents tobacco companies from shifting marketing expenditures to permitted media.
To implement the key provisions of the FCTC, Issah Ali; Organising Secretary of the Coalition of NGOs on Tobacco Control urged Cabinet, the Attorney Generals Department and Parliament to expedite action and pass the Draft Tobacco Control Bill into law.
VALD is an NGO established to promote alternative initiative and support development at all levels of society. Its objectives include enhancing education on Tobacco Control and health issues, empowering the youth to participate in governance, promotion of youth enterprise and advocacy for cultural diversity and peace. VALD is a member of the Coalition of NGOs on Tobacco Control
Source: AllAfrica
September 17, 2008
Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), an NGO, has called on the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Board to, in line with the constitution of Ghana, design and implement a comprehensive policy to ensure a total "ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship" in the country.
"The policy should consider the maximum protection of minors, women and vulnerable groups from false and misleading messages. The policy should in addition ban indirect advertising and ensure the participation of civil society in reporting its implementation and violation."
Ghana is a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which it ratified in June 2004 and deposited at the UN headquarters in November 2004.
In a press release signed by its Programme Director, Labram Musah Massawudu the NGO says tobacco companies operating in the country are violating provisions of the convention which are aimed at protecting consumers from the harmful effects of tobacco.
"FCTC is being violated by British American Tobacco (BAT), Ghana and other tobacco industries operating in Ghana. BAT and the marketers of Gold Seal and Capital cigarettes, knowing that the FCTC bans tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship are still engaged in massive and intensive advertisement aimed at targeting children, the youth and poor communities."
The objective of the FCTC "is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by providing a framework for tobacco control measures to be implemented by the parties at the national, regional and international levels in order to reduce continually and substantially the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke."
Citing examples, VALD noted that a tour of most Streets in places like Nima, Maamobi, Kanda, Ridge and other deprived communities reveals posters "on walls, trees and shops close to schools" as well as umbrellas advertising Pall Mall, Gold Seal and Capital cigarettes. "Meanwhile the messages are directed and attractive to children and the youth. Pall Mall branded cars day in and out patrol in and around the capital city trading in their products which have been proven to be deadly. This behaviours of BAT violates Article 13 of the FCTC."
VALD alleged further that for some years now, during the muslim festivities of Eid-ul-fitr, Gold Seal and Capital cigarettes (new brands of tobacco products) have been organizing a rap and dance competitions for young people between the ages of 10 and 25 in Mamobi and surrounding communities.
"The above events are clear violation of article 13 of the FCTC which states: "prohibit the use of false, misleading and deceptive messages and tactics to recruit minors into smoking" this are the tactics the industries are using in Ghana and other countries to mislead the young ones to smoke."
VALD has cause to believe that "the tobacco industry's internal documents state that to maintain it profit margin and customers, the youth and children must be recruited into smoking."
It quoted from international sources to support its call for an end to tobacco adverts in the country. "There is now incontrovertible evidence that marketing of tobacco promote youth smoking and can cause young people to begin smoking," said University of Minnesota Professor Barbara Loken, a scientific editor. "This direct link between marketing and tobacco use is very powerful," she added.
Also, a report Tobacco Marketing Promotes Youth Smoking released by the National Cancer Institute of US concludes that "tobacco advertising targets psychological needs of adolescents, such as popularity and peer acceptance. Advertising creates the perception that smoking satisfies these needs. The report further state that brief exposure to tobacco advertising influences adolescents' perceptions about smoking, smokers, and adolescents' intentions to smoke."
The report suggested that a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is an effective policy intervention that prevents tobacco companies from shifting marketing expenditures to permitted media.
To implement the key provisions of the FCTC, Issah Ali; Organising Secretary of the Coalition of NGOs on Tobacco Control urged Cabinet, the Attorney Generals Department and Parliament to expedite action and pass the Draft Tobacco Control Bill into law.
VALD is an NGO established to promote alternative initiative and support development at all levels of society. Its objectives include enhancing education on Tobacco Control and health issues, empowering the youth to participate in governance, promotion of youth enterprise and advocacy for cultural diversity and peace. VALD is a member of the Coalition of NGOs on Tobacco Control
Source: AllAfrica
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