From the Gambia Observer
Gambia youth network against Tabacco
Friday, August 01, 2008
While the world’s attention seem
to be focused on diseases perceived to be more serious, most of which
are in fact caught in less familiar circumstances, tabacco, with an
almost equal devastating health implication, continue to take its toll
on the world’s ‘most naive’ people, who, as a result of a manipulated
desire, continue to endanger their own lives as well as the lives of
millions of non-smokers.
This concern is what prompted a group of five formidable youth organisations
in the Gambia to form a network against the scourge of tobacco.
Through funding from the framework convention Alliance (FCA), this network
– NGO - CSO network on tobacco control in The Gambia, last Wednesday,
30 July, 2008, concluded a three-day strategic planning workshop. With
the slogan: strategic alliance and planning for tobacco free Gambia,
the workshop, held at the President International Award hall, sought
to validate a five year strategic plan aimed at making The Gambia a
tobacco free nation. The campaign is expected to last from 2009-2013.
The pioneering alliance behind this daunting crusade comprises of the
African Network for Information and Action Against Drugs (RAID – The
Gambia); the National Youth Parliament (NYP); Youths with a Vision;
National Network for Youth Development; and the International Organisation
of Good Tempers (IOGT).
Dubbed NGO/CSO network - The Gambia, this alliance seeks, as a way of
its mission, to become the strongest anti-tobacco alliance in a bid
to maintaining a sustained and long lasting campaign against tobacco
consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke in both The Gambia and the
West Africa sub-region. Its major goal is to enhance the contribution
of the young people in national development.
The 3 day validation workshop was graced by the Africa co-ordinator
of the Frame work convention Alliance, Nigerian Mr Adeola Akinremi,
who was upbeat about The Gambia’s chance in the global fight against
the devastating effects of tobacco.
His assessment, after meeting with key stakeholders in the country,
led Mr Akinremi to believe that apart from the sizeable nature of the
country, which gives it an added advantage in enforcing its laws, the
good relationship between the legislature and executive could be a catalyst
in The Gambia’s development endeavours. ‘This government,’ he
said, ‘is an action government.’
During the course of his stay in The Gambia, the Africa co-ordinator
and his Gambian hosts met with the Vice President, the SOS for Health,
Speaker of the National Assembly, the Inspector General of police and
partners of the government. Mr Adele described his stay in The Gambia
as a fruitful one, expressing optimism that the campaign would be successful.
The Framework Convention Alliance is an international NGO with an approximately
356 membership, worldwide. Its role is to help the World Health Organisation
(WHO), the custodian of the Frame Work Convention on Tobacco Control
(under whose auspices the frame work agreement was signed by member
states) to urge member states in hastening ratification. The FCA also
endeavours to ensure the full implementation of the agreement by those
that have already ratified it.
Together We Can Stop Smoking
thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The NGO-CSO Network on tobacco control
in The Gambia is currently holding a three-day strategic planning
workshop for its members at the President’s International Awards Hall
in Bakau and there is some very good work taking place.
Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the Network, Sambujang Conteh,
said the idea of creating such an institution emerged following the
recognition of the fact that no single entity can win the war against tobacco.
This is a very important realisation. What is needed to tackle the scourge
of smoking is a multi-agency approach. Government through various departments
have a huge role to play as does the media, private enterprise and the
general population.
Mr. Conteh recently stated that the NGO- CSO network on
tobacco control in The
Gambia has a vision of transforming The Gambia into a
tobacco free society saying, “this trouble of
tobacco is everywhere in
our society. Even those who abuse or use it agree that it’s harmful
to their health but they cannot drop the habit of tobacco consumption.”
This is certainly true but it does not mean that we must be any less
straightforward in our advertising and education on the harmful effects
of tobacco.
The government has a readymade opportunity to generate tax revenue by
increasing the tax on cigarettes. This will serve a dual purpose. It
will put the drug beyond the means of many people and the revenue generated
could be put into education and tobacco
control .
What we must never forget is
that those who smoke are addicted to a drug. It may be a socially acceptable
drug but it is a drug. Nicotine is the main source of addiction in cigarettes
and some studies have shown that it is even more addictive than heroin
which has been decimating the lives of people for many years in various
parts of the world.
As we should recognise smokers as addicts then we should ask are there
signs of classic addict behaviour such as stealing to support the habit
or denying themselves or their families sustenance or support in order
to smoke? How much of our petty crime can be explained by people who
engage in petty theft to feed their habit?
If we all work together in this country we can achieve the goal of a
smoke free Gambia. It a goal that is worth achieving and will
vastly improve the health and lives of many people.
Comments