A study led by researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has found that Ghanaians with only secondary school education are 82.8% more likely to smoke, highlighting a strong link between lower educational attainment and tobacco use.

Published in Scientific African, the study shows that education level, income, and place of residence significantly influence smoking habits. Middle-income earners made up 53.4% of tobacco users, and urban residents were more likely to smoke than those in rural areas.

Other contributing factors included occupational status and access to mass media. These socioeconomic factors accounted for more than half of tobacco use among respondents, according to the study's regression analysis.

The research also found gender differences in smoking patterns. Women were 62.4% less likely to smoke than men, suggesting the need for gender-specific public health messaging.

Lead researcher Dr. Joseph Kwasi Brenyah from KNUST’s Department of Global and International Health emphasized that addressing NCDs requires more than clinical care. “We must consider the socioeconomic conditions that influence people’s health behaviours,” he said.

The researchers recommend targeted health education campaigns, media regulation, and policies that address disparities in income and education. They also call for stronger enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

KNUST Authors in this study include: Joseph Kwasi Brenyah, Arti Singh, and Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo.