By Yunus S. Saliu
Over the weekend, authorities conducted a clampdown on various restaurants, bars, and tobacco vendors along the Senegambia strip in the Kanifing Municipality, as well as other parts of the country. This operation was part of ongoing enforcement efforts carried out by the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) department, 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 purpose of the exercise was to raise awareness and combat the sale and use of unapproved tobacco products while ensuring compliance with regulations, particularly 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 at the Ministry of Health, the enforcement team seized several items, including shisha pipes (also known as shisha hookahs or water jars), e-cigarette liquids (e-juice/vape juice), packs of cigarettes without approved graphics or GRA stickers, and loose cigarettes sold individually instead of in boxes.
Some businesses, particularly a restaurant and bar in the Senegambia area, obstructed the enforcement team, denying them entry to their premises.
Commenting on the operation, Omar Badjie commended the participation of all stakeholders, noting that such exercises are conducted quarterly by the Ministry and its partners. He highlighted that, unlike previous efforts, this clampdown extended to more areas, particularly focusing on restaurants and bars. He explained that in past enforcement activities, attention was mostly directed toward tobacco using hotspots to avoid disrupting the experience of tourists visiting the country. Since Senegambia is a key tourist destination, he emphasized the importance of balancing enforcement with the country’s tourism interests.
Before the exercise, restaurant and bar operators had been informed of the rules. Badjie acknowledged the numerous complaints but stated that action had become necessary due to the failure of some operators to adhere to the regulations.
While the operation went smoothly, he stressed that more inspections will be carried out, particularly in the Senegambia area, to ensure compliance with both the Tobacco Control Act of 2016 and the Tobacco Control Regulations of 2019.
These laws, among other provisions, prohibit smoking in public places, with a complete ban on e-cigarettes in the country. Despite this, Badjie noted an alarming trend of young people, particularly girls and boys, still using e-cigarettes.
He pointed out that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are causing significant harm in The Gambia, as they are lifelong conditions that result from behaviors such as smoking.
Commissioner Pa Samba Bojang, Head of the Tobacco Control Task Force, added that those who obstructed the enforcement team have been invited by the police for cautioning. He reiterated that the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations are especially critical in the hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants, and bars. Many businesses remain unaware that it is unlawful to allow public smoking.
Bojang also emphasized that smoking shisha in public is prohibited in The Gambia, and that electronic cigarettes are entirely banned under the law. He reiterated that there are strict regulations governing the use of tobacco products in the country.