Joyce Agana, Principal Regulatory Officer at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has underscored the critical role of smoke-free policies in safeguarding public health and enhancing individual well-being.
She explained that such laws not only protect the population from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke but also serve as a motivation for smokers to quit. Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, she emphasized that while these policies may seem restrictive, they ultimately create healthier, smoke-free environments for everyone.
According to Madam Agana, the benefits of smoke-free policies are far-reaching. They improve public health by reducing illnesses caused by exposure to smoke and alleviate the burden on healthcare systems, as fewer people develop smoke-related diseases. Furthermore, individuals who quit smoking gain financial relief, redirecting funds previously spent on tobacco to other essential areas, which, in turn, lessens the financial strain on the state.
“It goes further to decrease our healthcare burdens. You’ll now only have to manage conditions that are not smoke-related. It also gives individuals some financial freedom. If you were smoking and you quit, the money you spent on cigarettes can go elsewhere. You wouldn’t have to allocate it to smoking anymore. The state will also face fewer financial burdens as a result,” she explained.
Madam Agana also highlighted the broader societal impact of smoke-free policies, including their benefits for unborn children. She stressed that exposure to smoke during pregnancy can harm fetal development, emphasizing the need for collective support to ensure the success of these initiatives.
“We expect everybody to come on board and help us achieve this because it affects everyone, even unborn children. Once they are in the womb, whatever their mothers experience has the potential to affect them too. So let’s all come together. Don’t think that we’re inconveniencing you,” she urged.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
