Ghana

Ghana became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is allowed in designated smoking areas in indoor public places and workplaces. Smoking is prohibited in public transport, except trains and commercial watercraft, which may have designated smoking areas.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. Although financial or other sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship of events is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

On smoked tobacco product packaging, rotating pictorial health warnings must occupy 50 percent of the front and 60 percent of the back of packages. On smokeless tobacco product packaging, rotating pictorial health warnings must cover 65 percent of the front and back of packages. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light”, “ultra-light”, “mild” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machine, the internet, and in educational facilities, stadiums, healthcare facilities, amusement parks, and movie theaters. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco in unit packages weighing less than 30 grams. The law restricts the sale of tobacco products in cultural facilities. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Public Health Act, 2012 is the primary tobacco control legislation and governs, among other things, smoking in public places; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and tobacco packaging and labeling. The Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247) entered into force on January 4, 2017 and provided 18 months for compliance with public smoking restrictions, among other measures and 18 months for compliance with new picture health warnings from the date the FDA issued the new health warnings electronically. The Food and Drug Authority Guidelines for Labelling of Tobacco Products are issued under and implement the Public Health Act. The Guidelines regulate tobacco packaging and labeling. The most recent set of guidelines was issued in 2018.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.