Health officials at the press conference
By Fatou Sillah
The Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Control Unit of the Ministry of Health held a press briefing on Friday at the Central Medical Store in Kotu to provide an update on the enforcement of the 2016 Tobacco Control Act.
The Act, enacted in December 2016 and enforced from December 17, 2018, introduced strict regulations on smoking in public places, as well as bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. These measures were further reinforced by the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2019, which took effect on October 1, 2019, outlining specific guidelines on health warnings, sales restrictions, disclosure requirements, and enforcement mechanisms.
To ensure compliance, the Ministry of Health has been working closely with key enforcement agencies, including the National Environment Agency (NEA), Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Gambia Police Force (GPF), and the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG). Joint operations have been conducted to reinforce adherence to the law.
Speaking at the briefing, Michael M. Mendy, Director of Health Promotion and Education, highlighted the devastating impact of tobacco use on public health.
“Data has shown us that every year it kills about 8 million people, and out of these 8 million people, a million of them who are killed by tobacco use are those innocent ones who don’t use it but are exposed to it by those that are using it. This is a concern, and if you look at it worldwide, 80% of these deaths also occur in the part of the world we live in, in the low and middle-income countries, which Gambia is part of. Of course, this is a big concern,” he said
Pa Samba Bojang, Commissioner for Enforcement and Monitoring of Tobacco Control, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the law, while also clarifying regulations surrounding Shisha use.
“This tobacco issue is an act of parliament and we believe we have to make sure it is enforced as prescribed by the act. Yes, with the issues we are facing we have some constraints like there is still a lack of understanding from other communities that Shisha is part of recreational activities, particularly in the tourist site, in this particular act there is no specific jurisdiction that one has to use tobacco-related products freely. We are here not to say that the particular product is banned, no, but it’s regulated where and how to use it,” He Said.
Seyfo Sighateh, Senior Program Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases, emphasized the significant health risks associated with tobacco use and its contribution to the rising burden of NCDs in The Gambia.
Reports from the NCD Unit indicate that non-communicable diseases present a major public health challenge, affecting nearly every household in the country. The increasing prevalence of risk factors is placing immense pressure on The Gambia’s already strained healthcare system, with mental health disorders and injuries ranking among the leading causes of death and disability.
The Ministry of Health and its partners continue to urge the public to comply with the Tobacco Control Act and support efforts to reduce tobacco-related harm nationwide.