By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
Alieu Mendy, the Federation Manager of Ding-Ding Yiriwa, has urged the Government of The Gambia to take the lead in the fight against tobacco use and advisement in the country.
Mendy described tobacco as very harmful to the lungs that leads to death of many people in the country.
Mendy was speaking on Friday during the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day organised by the Ding-Ding Yiriwa Federation, in collaboration with The International Organisation of Good Templar-Gambia, funded by Child Fund The Gambia.
The ceremony started with a march-pass from the Nema Junction in Wellingara to the Wellingara police station and was witnessed by the Wellingara youths and police officers.
Mendy noted that the effects of tobacco base on research are very worrying as it affects the whole population together with young ones who are the leaders of tomorrow.
“The effects of tobacco and its related substance is very dangerous to human health and the use of tobacco is being done in a non-discriminative manner as people smoke in various homes openly where children and women are present,” he stated.
According to him, tobacco is a very dangerous product and that the Government of The Gambia should not allow it advertised in the country.
Mendy use the opportunity to urge the Government to sensitise the public about the harmful effects of this product.
Alieu B. Janneh, national coordinator of the international organisation of good Templar, said this year’s theme is “Tobacco and the heart”, meaning the effects of tobacco on the heart, which causes most heart diseases.
He thanked the Ding-Ding Yiriwa Federation, children and youth development agency of Kombo north and south and Child Fund for making the day a remarkable one.
