By Fatou I Touray
The WHO Professional Officer for Health Promotion has said that they have developed the first comprehensive Tobacco Control Act (TCA) 2016 together with the health ministry. He said the ministry hade deemed it fitting to collaborate with WHO and stakeholders to sensitize people.
Mr Momodou Gassama made the remarks in an interview during the recent 20-day door-to-door sensitization to monitor the implementation of the Act. The team visited restaurants, bars and motels to put stickers banning smoking in their premises. He noted that the issue of tobacco isa collective responsibility.
“The purpose of the tour is to monitor the work done in engaging stakeholders as tobacco is hazardous. Therefore, it is very important to speak to owners of restaurants, bars and motels to know the existence of the Tobacco Control Act which will be implemented to the fullest,” Mr Gassama noted.
He said work towards finishing the pictorial health warnings on tobacco packets is near completion.
Tobacco is not only a health problem but a developmental problem it damages health and seriously affects the environment, costing too much on health and spending a lot of on tobacco related diseases. It also affects household and national economies.
“Tobacco contributes over 70% of deaths due to NCD and 7% of TB deaths. Everyone has the TB virus which is controlled by our immune system but once a person gets into smoking, the immune system is damaged and TB will develop,”, Gassama explained.
He described tobacco as a dangerous and hazardous illegal product adding that WHO is ensuring that health systems are strengthened with policies and human resources in place. He said governance also needs to be strengthened to make sure countries take the right direction.
He announced that restaurant and bar owners have an obligation to discourage smoking in their premises by hanging ‘No Smoking’ stickers as smoking harms from head to toe. Therefore, he said, the issue of tobacco cannot be business as usual for people are dying unnecessarily from second-hand smoke which is unfair and they are now going to be protected by the Act.
He said tobacco reduces life span and can develop hypertension, heart, respiratory and chronic diseases.
“That is why the initiative is taken to inform people about the dangers associated with smoking and encourage smokers to quit the habit,” he explained adding that WHO is pleased with the work done during the tour.
At Samba Takko in URR, Regional Health Director Babucarr Ngum informed that there should be no smoking in public places and whoever is found wanting will face the law. He urged the audience to inform others.
Regional Health Vector Control Officer Samperr Colley urged people to abide by the Act to avoid facing the law. He blamed smoking for premature deliveries and deaths.
Mrs Lisa Baldeh described the meeting as very important as a lot has been learnt adding that information sheets are needed so that the Kanyalen groups can disseminate the information during social gatherings.
Ms Alimatou Ceesay of Ramdan Restaurant in Jarra Soma described smoking as a very bad habit that affects both users and others around them. She refer those who think smoking cools down stress to go to the beach rather than causing chronic diseases.
Abdoulie Jallow, a shop owner in Farafenni neither sell cigarette nor allow anyone to smoke in his premises. He commended government, WHO and partners for banning smoking in public places.
Mrs Banna Saidy, a shopkeeper said she feels offended if anyone smokes in her shop but hope the ‘no smoking’ stickers are a good warning. She observed that smokers ignore the warning on cigarette packets.
Mr Abdoulie Samba, a customer at African restaurant said smoking is a bad habit and urge users to desist from it. He called for collective support to ensure a total ban.
Ms Kumba Bah, a restaurant owner in Bansang said the ban is good because some smokers are very stubborn despite knowing that smoking is detrimental. He encouraged smokers to start reducing and gradually quit.
Mr Ousman Barry of Basse restaurant hailed the ban on smoking and tasked his colleagues not to allow smoking in their premises. He reminded them of the Tobacco Control Act.
Mr Bakary Krubally who quitted smoking after 10 years confessed that smoking seriously damages the health of a person. He recalled how he ignored household responsibilities to buy cigarettes and had to quit in order to gain respect from his family.
