The use of snuff locally known as “enye” in Wa in the Upper West Region has become widespread in recent times among men and women.
Sunkpal Dafaari, the Acting Upper West Regional Director for the Food and Drugs Authority confirms that snuff sniffing poses health risks to consumers.
Snuff is a smokeless tobacco made from finely ground or pulverized tobacco leaves. It is inhaled or “sniffed” into the nasal cavity, delivering a swift hit of nicotine and a lasting flavored scent.
Traditionally, it is sniffed or inhaled lightly after a pinch of snuff is either placed onto the back surface of the hand, held pinched between thumb and index finger, or held by a specially made “snuffing” device.
When Romanus Bombe, one of our reporters, went out to study snuff use, he found that people of all ages were partaking in the practice.
Residents who spoke with our reporter revealed conflicting opinions on using snuff; some claimed that it increased their energy level, while others believed that the risks outweighed the advantages.
The authorities, in especially the Food and Drugs Authority and Narcotics Control Board, were urged by several locals to curtail the indiscriminate use of the substance in the area.
Our reporter was informed by the Food and Drug Authority’s acting director that his agency has been detaining individuals who are attempting to sell unlicensed herbal items to the general public.
For fear of being apprehended and prosecuted, he pleaded with the public to denounce individuals who sell illegal herbal products.
The Food and Drug Authority’s interim director told our reporter that his agency has been detaining people who are offering unlicensed herbal items for sale to the general public.
He urged people to report anyone who sell illegal herbal products so that they might be detained and prosecuted.
By Romanus Bombe
