Activists in the Gambia have renewed their fight against the use of tobacco in the country, calling for a strict policy to be imposed on tobacco in order to curtail its menace on the society.

The Gambia adopted World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in April 2018 after enacting the Tobacco Control Act in 2016.

In a joint statement on World No Tobacco Day the ministry of Health in partnership with RAID-Gambia called for more concerted efforts in the campaign to control the use of tobacco in the country.

The World observed No Tobacco Day on May 31 every year in order to raise awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use both on smokers and non-smokers alike.

Speaking during the commemoration ceremony at the headquarters of the National Nutrition Agency in Kanifing, Momodou Gassama, a WHO official told the gathering that “over 8 million people died as a result of tobacco leading to the total death of 57 million and 70% related to NCP (Non Communicable Disease).”

He said that 1.8 million people die as a result of lung cancer in which 1.2 million are cause by tobacco usage across the globe.

Meanwhile, Mr Gassama said about 30% of second hand smokers are at risk of developing lung cancer.  

However, he said there has been a decline of tobacco use from 27% in 2000 to 20% in 2016.

For Sambujang Conteh, executive director RAID-Gambia said the country made tremendous achievement in the fight against tobacco use especially in public places.

He said: “RAID Gambia as an institution is committed to believe in tobacco free Gambia and will continue to work with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the WHO Gambia Office and other stakeholders until we declare this country as a tobacco free nation”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba