A total of 8 million people die each year as a result tobacco use of whom 80% are from low and middle-income countries, according to health experts.
Tobacco use is a risk factor when it comes Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs), therefore health officials renewed their call for concerted efforts by all to curb the growing threats
Thus, the day’s operation, which specially targets retail shops selling tobacco related products in the country, saw scores of shopowners contravening the said acts, which led to the seizure of those tobacco products.
The whole idea is to see the level of compliance as selling of single cigarette sticks and displaying of tobacco related products in shops are all outlawed in the country as it is in contravention of the 2016 Tobacco Control Acts.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, Awa Sanyang, programme officer at the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Unit of the Ministry of Health, explained that the main motive behind the exercise is to ensure a tobacco free nation, saying people are aware of laws when it comes to tobacco control in the country.
She, however, noted that one of the issues is the enforcement of these laws; reminding that law bans selling of tobacco to minors, as well as discouraging sale of single tobacco sticks.
“We want it to be sold in full packets simply because we want to make life difficult. Tobacco not easily available to the public so that people wouldn’t be tempted to smoke.”
She maintained that they also want to protect people, who are not smokers, adding that yes one can smoke but it has to be 100-metres away from the next individual.
She lamented the consequence of second-hand smoke and global deaths related to tobacco use is huge such that urgent measures needed to be taken to curb its impact on the population.
Sanyang emphasised that the result of tobacco use are preventable deaths. “If we regulate the way tobacco is used in the country, would go a long way in reducing the incidents and prevalence of NCDs in the country.”
She flagged that tobacco is a risk factor for NCDs in the country, calling on all to be enforcement agents and play a part in reducing fatalities related to tobacco use.
“Tobacco is the only legal products that would harm its consumers even when it is used exactly the way it is been prescribed by the manufacturer.”
As a legal product, Sanyang affirmed that they cannot ban the importation but that they can empower communities with good information to know that it is harmful and that they have a right to protect themselves and to have a tobacco free nation.
Karim Darboe, principal Public Health Officer, Western Region Two Health, acknowledged that tobacco pandemic is one of the greatest public health threats the world faces.
He revealed that a staggering 8 million people died of tobacco use of whom 80% are from low and middle-income countries, where the Gambia is part of.
He called on people to support each other and enforce the act for the betterment of the country.
