The Gambia on Thursday outlawed public smoking and warned smokers to desist from violating the new law that was enacted last year.

The new law seeks to keep the nation a free smoking zone to reduce tobacco related diseases, the government said. 

Police officers in collaboration with officials of the Ministry of Health are mandated to enforce the new law starting today [November 12].

Representing the nation’s police chief at a news conference in Banjul, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ebrima Bah told journalists: “The general public is hereby informed that the Gambia Police Force in collaboration with the ministry of health and other law enforcement agencies which include: environment inspectors, custom officers, public health officers and any other person appointed by the minister as authorised officer, will begin enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act 2016 and regulation 2019 with immediate effect.”

“Henceforth, it will be an offence to smoke in all public places which includes, health facilities, markets, offices, public transport, schools, airports, carparks, bars, restaurants, hostels, prisons, police cells, toilets and corridors just to name a few,” he added.

He said despite no specific smoking zones is created, but that one has to be hundred metres away from all public places in order to smoke.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba