By Tabora Bojang
The Gambia Police Force have placed a ban on the consumption and use of the popular water pipe tobacco known as Shisha.
Shisha smoking is common among young people in The Gambia especially women, despite the health hazards associated with it.
The ban comes as The Gambia government intensifies crackdown on tobacco in accordance with the Tobacco Control Act 2016 and Tobacco Control Regulations 2019.
A joint operation by the police, customs, public health and environmental inspectors was launched last Saturday to enforce these Acts.
“The public is hereby reminded that the Tobacco Control Act has banned public smoking, display of tobacco products, selling of single sticks and advertisements of tobacco products as well as Shisha,” the police said in a statement yesterday.
“The public is further reminded that Shisha is currently a banned substance and anyone found with it will face penalties in accordance with the laws,” it added.
According to the police, patrols will be mounted in this effect across the Tourism Development Areas to ensure full compliance.
The WHO indicated that the smoke inhaled in a typical one-hour shisha smoking is equal to inhaling smoke from 100 sticks of cigarette.
