A recent study conducted by researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has found that Ghanaians with only a secondary school education are 82.8 percent more likely to smoke. This study highlights the connection between educational attainment and tobacco use in Ghana. Published in the peer-reviewed journal *Scientific African*, the research offers new insights into the socioeconomic factors influencing tobacco consumption in the country. The researchers caution that public health initiatives need to address broader social determinants of health in order to be effective.
The findings indicate that an individual’s education level, income, and place of residence significantly affect their likelihood of smoking. Middle-income earners represent 53.4 percent of tobacco users, and urban residents are more likely to smoke compared to those living in rural areas. “These figures serve as a wake-up call,” said Dr. Joseph Kwasi Brenyah, the lead author of the study from the Department of Global and International Health at KNUST. “We must consider the socioeconomic conditions that influence people’s health behaviours. Addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) requires more than just clinical interventions.”
In addition to education and income, other contributors to tobacco use included employment status and access to mass media, all of which were identified as significant in the study’s regression analysis. These socioeconomic variables accounted for over half of the variance in smoking behaviour among the study population. The study also highlighted stark gender differences in smoking habits. According to the researchers, women were 62.4 per cent less likely to smoke than men, pointing to the need for gender-specific approaches in public health messaging and smoking cessation programmes.
Co-authors on the study included Arti Singh and Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, also of KNUST. Together, they argue that the battle against tobacco use must include comprehensive public education campaigns, stricter media regulation, and policy reforms that address persistent inequalities in income and education.
The team also urged the Ghanaian government to enhance its commitment to global tobacco control frameworks. “There needs to be stronger enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),” Dr Brenyah added, warning that the rising tide of tobacco-related illnesses could overwhelm the country’s healthcare system if not addressed urgently.
The study adds to growing evidence that tobacco use in Ghana is no longer confined to isolated demographics but is increasingly shaped by structural and social forces. Experts believe that without a holistic, data-informed response, tobacco use could continue to rise—particularly among vulnerable populations. Health advocates say the findings should prompt urgent action from policymakers, particularly as Ghana continues its efforts to reduce the burden of NCDs and promote equitable access to preventive health services.
Source: KNUST.edu.gh