Police have announced immediate enforcement of a new law against public smoking that seeks to keep the nation free from tobacco and its related diseases.
The police are mandated to exercise the law on anyone found liable which started on November 12; they have however solicited the cooperation of the general public.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector general of police at a news conference in Banjul, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ebrima Bah told journalists: “The general public is hereby informed that the Gambia Police Force in collaboration with the ministry of health and other law enforcement agencies which include: environment inspectors, custom officers, public health officers and any other person appointed by the minister as authorised officer, will begin enforcement of the tobacco control act 2016 and regulation 2019 with immediate effect..”
“Henceforth, it will be an offence to smoke in all public places which includes, health facilities, markets, offices, public transport, schools, airports, carparks, bars, restaurants, hostels, prisons, police cells, toilets and corridors just to name a few,” he added.
“Furthermore, all forms of tobacco advertisement, display of tobacco products at points of sales, selling of single cigarette stick or packets of less than twenty-sticks and selling cigarettes to minors that’s people under 18 years are all prohibited.”
