Benefo Isaac Ampomah, Executive Director of the Jai-Shi Youth Initiative, has raised concerns about a growing trend in which women are closing the gap with men in smoking rates, thereby transferring the health burden to their children.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive on Radio Univers on October 6, 2025, Ampomah explained that while women were traditionally the primary victims of the effects of smoking, the situation is shifting.
“But now, kids are suffering from secondhand smoke because mothers are becoming chain smokers. Imagine smoking before, during, and after pregnancy, and even while breastfeeding,” he lamented.
The Executive Director warned that this poses a profound threat to childhood development, stressing that failure to intervene could result in children being born with severe deficiencies linked to chemical exposure.
“If we don’t bring these issues to light, before we realize it, we will be giving birth to children with complications caused by harmful chemicals,” he cautioned.
Ampomah further urged the government to allocate a portion of the significant revenue it derives from the tobacco industry to protect the next generation.
“Government is taking a lot of money from tobacco. If even a small portion could be earmarked for tobacco control advocacy, we could use it to support young people,” he suggested.
The Jai-Shi Youth Initiative is a youth-focused organization that works to address smoking-related issues in society.
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Story by Wilhemina Dushie | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
