Ministry of Health, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other Stakeholders continue their nationwide awareness campaign on the Tobacco Control Act in Kerewan in the North Bank Region (NBR).
In June 2021, The Gambia Police Force (GPF) announced that a joint operation by the Police, GRA-Customs, Public Health, and Environmental Inspectors has been set up to enforce the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations in the country.
The Tobacco Control Act has banned public smoking, display of tobacco products, selling of single sticks, and advertisements of tobacco products as well as Shisha.
Speaking to North Bank Community Radio, Mr Njie of Non-Cominicable Disease (NCD) highlighted that the awareness is meant to inform the public about the danger of smoking and the use of other tobacco.
Mr. Njie asserted that public smoking also affects not only smokers but even those who don’t smoke. He further urges people to avoid public smoking and make a 100-meter distance when smoking.
“If you are smoking, know that 7 million people died from smoking globally, and 850 thousand died as a result of secondhand smoking. The Gambia recorded 34% death in 2018 from smoking,” Mr. Njie said.
