Gambia men between the ages of 25 to 65 smoke about 10 sticks of cigarettes a day, a Ministry of Health research study finds. 

About 16% of the adult population smoke. According to the study, the average Gambian male adult smokes about 10 sticks of cigarettes a day. 

“Smoking is the major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, strokes and heart attacks,” the report said.

“In The Gambia, [the] rate of smoking is alarming particularly among youth. From a health perspective, various tobacco control advocates across the continent have raised warnings of the dangers of tobacco use and its implications for COVID-19. 

“The messages are that smoking compromises the immune system and increases the risk of people contracting COVID-19,” the report added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba