Novel and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products in Ghana 2024

obacco smoking causes more than eight million deaths globally each year, with a disproportionate burden occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Since the mid-2000s, the tobacco and nicotine product landscape has expanded, including electronic cigarettes and other electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (EN&NNDS). This expansion has been accompanied by increasing international use of e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as vaping. EN&NNDS use electrically powered coils to heat e-liquids into aerosols inhaled by users. These liquids may contain nicotine, flavourings, additives, and other harmful chemicals. Aerosol composition and exposure are influenced by e-liquid composition, device materials, electrical power, and user puffing behaviour. Although ENDS are generally marketed as containing nicotine and ENNDS as nicotine-free, labelling may not always accurately reflect product contents. This report examines the evolving tobacco and nicotine product landscape in Ghana, highlighting emerging products, health concerns, and the need for surveillance, public awareness, and regulatory responses.