By Isatou Fofana
The Non-Communicable Disease unit (NCD) of the Ministry of Health and officials from various institutions recently shared with the media the ongoing efforts and future strategies for tobacco control, as part of their quarterly briefing on the enforcement efforts on tobacco control regulations nationwide.
These collaborative enforcement operations, conducted alongside multiple government agencies, are key in the ongoing battle against the detrimental effects of tobacco.
The Programme Manager of NCD, Mr. Omar Badjie noted that in recent months, the Ministry has intensified inspections of tobacco vendors to ensure strict adherence to the Tobacco Control Act. “These inspections reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting public health by reducing exposure to second hand smoke and limiting access to tobacco products, particularly among the youth,” he stated.
Mr. Badjie therefore called on all citizens to support these initiatives by complying with the regulations and reporting any violations.
The NCD Programme Officer, Sefo Singhateh, gave a run-down on some of the activities that were conducted in the field. He highlighted the alarming statistics related to tobacco use, which, he lamented, remains a leading cause of NCDs.
Commissioner Pa Bojang of the Gambia Police Force also expressed the Police Force’s commitment to enforcing tobacco control regulations across the country, emphasising that the enforcement process is crucial for the protection of the public.
“The Gambia Police Force remains steadfast on the mission to reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases by rigorously enforcing tobacco control laws”.
The quarterly press briefing on tobacco control serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue and action concerning one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. The commitment demonstrated by stakeholders signals a collective resolve to combat tobacco use through evidence-based policies and community mobilisation, paving the way toward a healthier future.
