The Health Education Unit in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and RAID-The Gambia last Thursday held a day sensatisation for some members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the traditional rulers (chiefs) on the prohibition of smoking in public place Act 1998 at the governor's Bantaba in Janjangbureh, Central River Region.

In his opening remarks at the sensitisation, Lamin Darboe, the deputy governor of the region underscored the importance of the sensisation. He noted that such educative forums will go a long way in increasing public awareness on the prohibition of smoking in public place Act 1998 passed by the National Assembly as well as the health hazards associated with smoking.  

He stated that tobacos contain nicotine and carbon monoxide which are dangerous chemical to human health.  He called on the traditional rulers to further sensitise their communities on the act and to ensure that the act is enforced. The deputy manager, health education unit, Yerro Bah, pointed out that the purpose of the sensitisation is to increase public awareness on the prohibition of smoking in public place act which was enacted since 1998.  He revealed that over five million people die annually due to health effect of tobacco use.

Sambujang Konteh, the director of RAID-The Gambia, called for effective campaign against tobacco use. Momodou Gassama, the WHO health promotion officer said subject to the provision of this act, no person shall smoke tobacco in any public place, work place, hospitals, public vehicles and within  government premises.  

He stated that a person who contravenes a provision of this act, commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dalasis and not less than two hundred dalasis or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both the fine and imprisonment. The CRR regional health officer, Karamba F Keita, called on the participants to take up the act seriously.