Guam: Government to Enforce Ban on Public Smoking

Source from:  Foroyaa Newspaper (gm)  12/18/2013

The ban on public smoking, promotion and advertisement of tobacco has now been put into effect after the launching of the enforcement of its prohibition by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) at a ceremony held at the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital in Bundung. In his opening remarks, Mr. Kebba Manneh, Chief Executive Officer of JFPH described the act of smoking at public places as devastating and a difficult matter to handle as it involves many stakeholders.

He said some implementing partners are even doing it and he urged them to desist from the act as it is not limiting to only self damage, but to public as well.

Mr. Momodou Gassama representing the WHO country representative Dr. Thomas Sukwa, told the gathering that the Gambia is lauded for taking this bold step at a time when the global blueprint of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was being conceived by Member States of the organization. He explained that WHO FCTC began in earnest in 1998 and the process was completed after five years and member states endorsed it.

"The FCTC clearly articulates the need for Member States to take the necessary legislative measures to protect their citizens from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke," he said. Mr. Gassama added that the enactment by the National Assembly of the Gambia in 1998 of a law that prohibits smoking in public was timely. He salutes the civil society organizations in the Gambia that have been fighting against tobacco usage such as RAID- the Gambia, International Organisation for Good Templars (IOGT) and the Media for their stance in the course.

Mr. Gassama also respectfully thanked the seven outstanding tobacco control veterans who are winners of the prestigious World No-Tobacco Day Award dating back to 2000 which he said are St. Theresa's Upper Basic School in 2000, Retired Hon. Edrissa Samba Njie Sallah in 2001, Raid-the Gambia in 2002, IOGT in 2006, Latrikunda Upper Basic School in 2007, Foroyaa newspaper in 2008 and Brufut Lower Basic School in 2012.

He urged them to keep up the momentum in their continuous support against tobacco usage.

Retired Hon Edrissa Samba Njie Sallah who initiated the act in 1998, said to fight against tobacco smoking in public needs all hands on deck; adding that public awareness should be consistent so that the target is met. He said since 1998, he found out that some people are shy to drive those smoking from the areas designated as non smoking zones.

He advised for collaborative effort and added that smokers should also have sympathy for those who don't smoke and assured that with the launching of this Act, smoking could be brought under control. He advised health workers and police officers to avoid violating this Act.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Hon Ousman Sonko, the Deputy permanent Secretary of technical section at the Ministry of health and social welfare, Mr. Dawda Ceesay said he strongly believes that tobacco control is beyond a single ministry, organization or institution for effective control and this is why as law enforcement body in the country, they joined with the Health ministry to handle the problem.

He disclosed that for the fact that tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people globally each year, out of which more than 600,000 are non smokers from breathing second hand smoke.

Therefore, he said, this obliged them to intervene in consultation with health ministry. "Unless we act, the epidemic will kill more than eight million people every year by 2030.

More than 80% of these preventable deaths will be among people living in low-and middle-income countries.

According to the statistics, tobacco use particularly cigarette smoking, is on the increase among both the adolescent and the adult populations in the Gambia," he said. He opined that the Gambia is doing its utmost best to fight against the tobacco smoking and added that the commitment of the Ministry of Interior to the implementation of the anti-tobacco law is unchallengeable; adding that they are ready to implement it to the fullest.

He urged all other ministries, establishments, institutions and the entire Gambian public to abide by the law. "I wish to remind the public again that smoking is not allowed in public places anymore and I hope no one will be found wanting. My ministry through its security outfits will rally behind the Health Ministry to enforce this law," he concluded. 

The programme was graced by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Hon. Omar Sey and some high ranking health officials in the Gambia. Enditem