The ministry of health has raised concerns around tobacco control despite law banning public smoking and single sale of cigarrette.

According to the ministry, at least 34 percent of non-communicable deaths in the country are a result of tobacco related.

Omar Badjie, director of the non-communicable unit of the ministry of health said at a sensitisation workshop that: “Despite tobacco constituting some 34 percent non-communicable deaths in The Gambia, law enforcement remains a huge daunting task coupled with non-existent of a budget allocated to its control committee.” 

The workshop was aimed at increasing the knowledge on tobacco use and the challenges facing domestic financing of tobacco control intervention, tobacco control levy, and multi-sectoral collaboration.

Momodou Gassama, World Health Organisation health promotion expert expressed that they are dealing with a very resourceful industry that has high political means to influence policies.

“No one will be selling a harmful product that kills and the person tells people about the danger associated with what they sell,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba