Tema: Some young people in Tema Community One have developed a habit of smoking daily, claiming it helps relieve stress, depression, and anxiety while boosting their appetite. It is common to see youth openly smoking cigarettes and other substances in certain sites and slum areas within Tema Community One.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Prince Asare, a 30-year-old resident, has been smoking for the past 13 years, asserting that he has yet to experience any negative impacts from smoking. He claims it increases his appetite and challenges the societal view that smokers are inherently bad, suggesting that those who wear suits might be worse culprits. Asare believes smoking enhances his cognitive abilities.
Mr. Charles Nfodzo, a 36-year-old chain smoker, supports this view, stating that smoking is particularly beneficial in cold weather. He claims to smoke up to 10 nicotine-free cigarettes a day to manage stress and anxiety, and he advises smokers to ensure they have enough money for food due to the increased appetite smoking induces.
Another individual, known only as Junior, claims that smoking enhances his sexual performance by increasing his libido and prolonging ejaculation.
Mr. Isaac Odartey, a pharmacist, offers a medical perspective, stating that smoking is a harmful habit primarily due to nicotine, a dangerous and addictive chemical found in tobacco and other substances. Nicotine can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and blood flow to the heart, while narrowing arteries. It may also contribute to arterial hardening, potentially leading to heart attacks. Odartey warns that secondhand smoke is a significant health risk, particularly for children and nonsmokers with high blood pressure or cholesterol.
He strongly advises quitting smoking to improve health, emphasizing that many people successfully quit each year despite the challenges.
