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At a time when Ghana is almost winning the battle against Tramadol abuse nationwide, there seem to be another equally dangerous and silent killer taking over our streets especially among teenagers. Snuff; a product made from tobacco is the newest gig in town.
Although a national issue, this writeup takes a closer look at how teenagers in the Bole District of the Savannah region are joyfully embracing the new gig in town without any idea of the numerous consequences associated to its use. The drug snuff is fast gaining popularity among teens in the District especially those who have abandoned school and now practicing butchery, galamsay or driving tricycles and yellow yellow popularly known as “Mahama can do”. These teens to the surprise of many concerned adults sniff this drug with impunity and with little regard to who is watching them or not.
As an addictive drug, my fears are that these teens will end up “marrying” this drug and when the sweetness of this marriage is over, they divorce it and migrate to more sophisticated drugs such as cannabis (weed), alcohol, Shisha, or even cocaine which has the potential of creating several social misfits in our society aside from the numerous health challenges they are likely to face now and in the future.
Snuff is a smokeless tobacco product made from ground or pulverized tobacco leaves. It is inhaled or sniffed into the nasal cavity, delivering a swift hit of nicotine and lasting flavoured scent to users. There are about five (5) forms of snuff in the market under two categories know as I. Dry snuff II. Wet snuff.
Dry snuff is a powdered tobacco product that involves curing or fermenting selected tobacco leaves which are then ground into fine powder and used through the nostrils of users.
Wet snuff on the other hand is a Swedish moist snuff that is sold in little packets. This form of snuff is slipped between the upper lip and gums where it sits mixing with saliva and leaching nicotine mixed with tobacco juice in the mouth.
Snuff consumption in Europe is highly regulated just as other tobacco products including age restrictions. I wish same happens in Ghana and Bole soon.
Health Risks Associated With Snuff Use
There are several health risks associated to snuff use no matter the form. Some of these health risks include :
- Risk of nicotine addiction
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Oral snuff use can attract a multitude of oral problems including teeth loss and oral cancer.
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Chronic abuse of dry snuff leads to functional changes in the nasal mucosa. (constant watery running nose).
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Snuff use can cause respiratory problems (damage to the lungs and other vital organs of users). Etc.
Considering all these above stated health problems associated with snuff use, one wonders why out of the entire constituency of tobacco or snuff users, teenagers form a majority of the population. In fact I was alarmed and scandalised when I was briefed by some snuff sellers in the Bole District on the statistics regarding snuff purchase and use by the various age groups. It turned out that teenagers from the ages 12 to 17 years topped the league table of snuff users. My worry in all these is the fact that crime rate in the next 2 to 3 years is most likely to go up astronomically because by then, these current teen tobacco users would have been transitioning from snuff to more sophisticated drugs since they will no longer attain the “high” they used to attain with the snuff.
I therefore as a matter urgency appeal to all stakeholders such as the District Assembly, parents, teachers, NGOs, youth groups etc to come to the table to brainstorm and profess solutions including educating the public on the dangers of tobacco and by extension snuff use in order to nip this looming danger in the District on the bud before it becomes too late for us all as a people.
By:
Iddisah Tahiru Omega
NDC-DCO officer (Bole Bamboi)
(0242754466/0206666219)
