By Isatou Fofana
As part of their efforts to strengthen national capacity in Tobacco Control Litigation, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently concluded a three-day training for legal practitioners and police prosecutors across the country.
This training was intended to enhance the understanding of tobacco control policies, laws, and regulations in the country and build the capacity for tobacco control law enforcement, particularly in relation to emergent products.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO country representative, Mr. Momodou Gassama, the Professional Officer for Health Promotion and Social Determinants at WHO, said the capacity building will promote cooperation between public health experts and legal practitioners for all-encompassing tobacco control initiatives.
Seyfo Singhateh, a Senior Programme Officer at the Non-Communicable Disease Unit of the Health Ministry said tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease, causing numerous health problems such as cancer, heart diseases, and respiratory conditions.
He added that advocating for tobacco control is essential for protecting public health, reducing economic burdens, and promoting social justice and human rights.
The Director of Health Services, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, highlighted that the prevalence of tobacco smoking in the country is high, noting that the training will further create a more cohesive environment between legal practitioners, police prosecutors, and public health experts in a bid to create an enabling environment for comprehensive tobacco control efforts.
The training was organised by the Non-Communicable Unit of the MoH. Participants noted that the intensive training has helped enhance their understanding of tobacco control policies, laws, and regulations in The Gambia, the sub-region, and globally.
