Think Shisha Is Safe? FDA Says You’re Being Misled

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana has issued a strong warning to the public, especially the youth, about the dangers of all forms of tobacco consumption—shisha, vapes, tobacco gum, and traditional cigarettes alike.

Speaking at a medical outreach in commemoration of World No Tobacco Day, Dr. Mrs. Olivia Agyekuma Boateng, Director of the Tobacco and Substances of Abuse Division, emphasized that there is no such thing as a “safe” tobacco product.

“There is no safe form of tobacco, whether you sniff it, inhale it, or chew it. Even gum forms of tobacco are unsafe,” she said. According to Dr. Boateng, all tobacco products contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance, along with other chemicals that are known to cause serious harm to the human body.

Addressing common misconceptions, she debunked the belief that shisha, also known as hookah, is a safer alternative because the smoke passes through water.

“That’s a myth. The chemicals and toxins still make it to your lungs. You’re inhaling the same harmful substances,” she clarified.

She further warned that electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as vapes, also carry major health risks.

These devices have grown in popularity among the youth, many of whom are misled by industry marketing that portrays them as “cleaner” or safer.

“They cause cancers, infertility, impotence, and heart diseases,” Dr. Boateng stated. “Nicotine is very addictive.

Once you start, it’s hard to stop, and it becomes a gateway to harder drugs.”

She called on parents and guardians to stay alert, get involved in their children’s online activities, and help counter the glamorization of tobacco on social media.

The Volta Regional Director of the FDA, Gordon Akurugu, echoed her concerns and shared that surveillance at the Ghana-Togo borders has been intensified to combat illegal tobacco smuggling.

“Our team now works 24/7 to prevent smugglers from sneaking in dangerous products at night. The results are promising,” he noted.

The FDA reiterated its commitment to public education, enforcement, and collaboration with various stakeholders to reduce tobacco use in Ghana.