Authorities Clampdown on Eating places, Bars, and Distributors for Violating Tobacco Control Act –
By Yunus S. Saliu
Over the weekend, authorities performed a clampdown on numerous eating places, bars, and tobacco distributors alongside the Senegambia strip within the Kanifing Municipality, in addition to different components of the nation. This operation was a part of ongoing enforcement efforts carried out by the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) division, in collaboration with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Gambia Police Force (GPF), and members of the media.
The objective of the train was to lift consciousness and fight the sale and use of unapproved tobacco merchandise whereas making certain compliance with laws, notably the Tobacco Control Act.
Led by Commissioner Pa Samba Bojang, Head of the Tobacco Control Task Force, and Omar Badjie, Program Manager for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention on the Ministry of Health, the enforcement staff seized a number of gadgets, together with shisha pipes (often known as shisha hookahs or water jars), e-cigarette liquids (e-juice/vape juice), packs of cigarettes with out accredited graphics or GRA stickers, and free cigarettes offered individually as an alternative of in packing containers.
Some companies, notably a restaurant and bar within the Senegambia space, obstructed the enforcement staff, denying them entry to their premises.
Commenting on the operation, Omar Badjie counseled the participation of all stakeholders, noting that such workout routines are performed quarterly by the Ministry and its companions. He highlighted that, not like earlier efforts, this clampdown prolonged to extra areas, notably specializing in eating places and bars. He defined that in previous enforcement actions, consideration was largely directed towards tobacco utilizing hotspots to keep away from disrupting the expertise of vacationers visiting the nation. Since Senegambia is a key vacationer vacation spot, he emphasised the significance of balancing enforcement with the nation’s tourism pursuits.
Before the train, restaurant and bar operators had been knowledgeable of the foundations. Badjie acknowledged the quite a few complaints however said that motion had change into crucial as a result of failure of some operators to stick to the laws.
While the operation went easily, he burdened that extra inspections will probably be carried out, notably within the Senegambia space, to make sure compliance with each the Tobacco Control Act of 2016 and the Tobacco Control Regulations of 2019.
These legal guidelines, amongst different provisions, prohibit smoking in public locations, with a whole ban on e-cigarettes within the nation. Despite this, Badjie famous an alarming development of younger folks, notably ladies and boys, nonetheless utilizing e-cigarettes.
He identified that non-communicable ailments (NCDs) are inflicting important hurt in The Gambia, as they’re lifelong circumstances that end result from behaviors comparable to smoking.
Commissioner Pa Samba Bojang, Head of the Tobacco Control Task Force, added that those that obstructed the enforcement staff have been invited by the police for cautioning. He reiterated that the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations are particularly essential within the hospitality sector, together with accommodations, eating places, and bars. Many companies stay unaware that it’s illegal to permit public smoking.
Bojang additionally emphasised that smoking shisha in public is prohibited in The Gambia, and that digital cigarettes are solely banned underneath the legislation. He reiterated that there are strict laws governing the usage of tobacco merchandise within the nation.
Post Views: 260
