The Inspector General of Police, Mamot Jobe, has announced that the law enforcement agents are set to arrest people found smoking in public places.
The Police chief made this announcement at the beginning of the week in a televised address, delivered at the police headquarters in Banjul.
He explained that the Ministry of Health and other law enforcement agencies; including environmental inspectors, customs officers, public health officers and any other person appointed by the minister as an authorised officer, could effect the arrest.
“It will be an offence to smoke in all public places; which include health facilities, markets, offices, public transport, schools, airports, car parks, bars, restaurants, hotels, prisons, police cells, toilets and corridors, amongst others,” IGP Jobe clarified.
He noted that while there are no specific smoking zones created, one has to be 100 meters away from all public places in order to smoke.
He further pointed out that all forms of tobacco advertisement, display of Tobacco products at point of sale, selling cigarette sticks or packets less than 20 sticks and selling cigarette to minors are all prohibited.
Mr Jobe therefore solicits the cooperation of the public in keeping the nation free from smoke, thereby reduce tobacco related diseases.
The WHO, RAID The Gambia and the Ministry of Health have worked hard to come up with the Tobacco Control Act 2016 and the 2019 Regulation. The essence is to control the demand and supply of tobacco and tobacco related products in the country.
