Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – As public smoking continues in many parts of The Gambia despite existing regulations, health experts and affected citizens are warning of the growing dangers of passive smoking and are calling for stronger enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act to protect non-smokers.
Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoke, occurs when non-smokers inhale smoke from burning tobacco products or smoke exhaled by smokers. Health professionals warn that such exposure poses serious health risks, particularly in public spaces where individuals have little control over their environment.
Certified nurse-midwife Limam Hydara described passive smoking as a major public health concern, linking it to lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, and a range of respiratory illnesses.
He said exposure can trigger asthma attacks and, over time, lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Hydara further noted that exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight, premature birth, congenital abnormalities, and sudden infant death syndrome. He added that prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke, even before birth, may contribute to learning and behavioral challenges later in life.
Several residents say weak enforcement of public smoking laws has left them exposed to health risks. Momodou Wurry Jallow, a resident of Banjul, said cigarette smoke from people smoking near his compound has negatively affected his health and daily life.
He expressed concern that smoking continues openly in public spaces despite the ban, describing the situation as dangerous for ordinary Gambians.
Asthmatic patients say they are among the most vulnerable. Sulayman Njie explained that inhaling cigarette smoke causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. He said exposure often triggers mild asthma attacks and dizziness, making public smoking a serious threat for people living with respiratory conditions.
Responding to the concerns, Seyfo Singhateh, Senior Programme Officer at the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, said the Public Smoking Act is still being enforced, though challenges persist. He said inspections have been carried out in several public places, leading to the seizure of shisha jars, tobacco packs, and other smoking materials, with suspects awaiting court proceedings. Confiscated items, he added, have been handed over to the police for further legal action.
Singhateh acknowledged that compliance remains low in some communities and attributed this partly to public attitudes that undermine enforcement efforts. He said many citizens fail to take ownership of the law by challenging people who smoke around them, leaving enforcement solely to authorities.
According to him, smoking is largely an attitudinal issue that will require sustained sensitization and collective responsibility to address.
The Tobacco Control Act, 2016, was adopted in December 2016 and came into force in December 2018, with provisions banning smoking in public places taking immediate effect.
Health experts warn that without stronger enforcement and greater public cooperation, continued exposure to secondhand smoke could worsen the country’s burden of non-communicable diseases and endanger vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and people with asthma.
