CSOs condemn images of smoking by musician on social media | General entertainment

A number of civil society organizations (CSOs) have condemned the smoking cigar photos of a popular musician known in showbiz circles as Sarkodie for circulating photos of himself smoking cigars on social networks.

They said: “We are very disappointed that Sarkodie has circulated photos of him smoking a cigar on social media without considering the negative influence this singular act could have on the public, especially young people. , who for the most part consider him to be their role model. “

CSOs are Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (Ghana NCD Alliance), Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH), Jaishi Initiative and Community Health Support Team (CHEST).

This was in a statement issued on behalf of the organizations by Mr. Labram Musah, VALD’s program director, and national coordinator, Ghana NCD Alliance, with a copy to the Ghana News Agency.

He called on Sarkodie to refrain from the act both in his photos and in his music videos to avoid indirectly inducing innocent young people to smoke, which was of no benefit to humans.

“We also ask by this statement the singer to apologize to all Ghanaians, especially the young people, for such an unpleasant act which has the propensity to change the behavior of our young people from good to bad and to commit us to support and to promote the health and well-being of all, ” the statement read.

He urged, especially those in the entertainment industry, to note that Ghana’s Public Health Act (Act 851) under Part Six, which talks about tobacco control measures, prohibits advertising, promotion and tobacco sponsorship, and also bans its products in entertainment media.

“We expect Sarkodie to use his influence and platforms in a positive way to educate and instill good character, including a healthy lifestyle, among his supporters and the public,” he said.

The statement said Ghana is already facing an increase in the rate of smoking among young people in graduate and tertiary institutions, which has had a negative impact on their well-being, adding that some countries have banned its use altogether. .

“We find the act of the double BET Award winner as unprofessional, unethical and unhealthy. Young people, because of their exuberance and their juvenile experiments, follow the paths of the individuals they have idolized and these should not be led into mortal pits by these same idols… ”, he declared .

He said smoking was one of the leading causes of preventable deaths globally, with most occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana.

It is estimated that each year around eight million lives are lost to tobacco use, while 600,000 people are also killed by exposure to tobacco smoke around the world.

“Smoking also increases the risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases and problems with the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis and many others. The cost of treating these effects is very high, which sends the majority to their first graves and drives families into abject poverty, ”the statement said.

“It is important to note that smokers have a high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to a weakened immune system from smoking.”

“Just a few weeks ago, in commemoration of World No Tobacco Day this year, the World Health Organization launched a campaign; “Commit to Quit” and therefore we see this act as a threat to all of these efforts on the part of well-meaning people. “