Extent of illicit cigarette market from single stick sales in Ghana: findings from a cross-sectional survey
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Date
2022
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Publisher
Open Access
Abstract
Objective This study aims to measure the extent of
illicit cigarette consumption from single stick sales, to
determine the nature and types of illicit cigarettes present
in Ghana, and to identify the factors associated with illicit
cigarette consumption in Ghana.
Design A cross-sectional study using empty cigarette
packs generated by 1 day’s single stick cigarette sales
collected from cigarette vendors.
Setting Five large cities (Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale
and Bolgatanga) and three border towns (Aflao, Paga/
Hamele and Elubo) in the northern, middle and coastal belt
of Ghana.
Procedure and participants Ten areas were randomly
selected in each city/town, and all shops selling cigarettes
within 1 km of the central point were surveyed.
Outcome measures (1) Estimates of the share of illicit
cigarette packs in the total cigarette sales from vendors
selling single stick cigarettes in Ghana; (2) nature and
types of illicit cigarette packs; (3) factors associated with
illicit cigarette sales in Ghana.
Results Of a total of 4461 packs, about 20% (95% CI
18.3 to 20.7) were found to be illicit. Aflao (Ghana-Togo
border) and Tamale (Ghana-Burkina Faso border) had the
highest percentage of illicit cigarette sales at 99% and
46%, respectively (p<0.001). Over half of the illicit packs
originated from Togo (51%), followed by Nigeria (15%) and
then Cote d’Ivoire (10%). Adjusted and unadjusted logistic
regression models indicated that convenience stores,
border towns, pack price and the northern zone had higher
odds of illicit cigarette sales.
Conclusion To effectively tackle illicit cigarettes, market
surveillance and strengthening supply chain control are
required, particularly at the border towns and the northern
region of the country
Description
This article is published by Open Access and is also available at http://bmjopen.bmj.com/
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Citation
Singh A, Ross H, Dobbie F, et al. Extent of illicit cigarette market from single stick sales in Ghana: findings from a cross sectional survey. BMJ Open 2023;13:e062476. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2022-062476