Dr Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday tabled before members of the National Assembly, the World Health Organisation Convention on Tobacco Control for ratification.
The objective of this convention and its protocols, is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by providing a framework for tobacco control measures to be implemented by the parties at the national, regional and international levels, in order to reduce continually and substantially the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Presenting the convention, Dr Mbowe said the spread of tobacco epidemic is a global problem with serious consequences for public health that calls for the widest possible international cooperation and the participation of all countries in an effective, appropriate and comprehensive international response. He said parties to this convention gave priority to the right to protect public health in order to reflect the concern of international community about the devastating worldwide health, social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. “The convention also reflects the concern of the international community about the increased in the worldwide consumption and protection of cigarettes and other tobacco products, particularly in developing countries.

They also recognised that scientific evidence has unequivocally established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke cause death, disease and disability and that there is timely lag between the exposure to smoking and other uses of tobacco products and the onset of tobacco-related diseases,” he said.

Dr Mbowe further raised concern about the high levels of smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption by indigenous people and the impact of all forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship, aimed at encouraging the use of tobacco products. He then revealed that cooperative action is necessary to eliminate all forms of illicit trade in cigarettes and other tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting.

Adam Cham, member for Kombo North urged for a political will to demonstrate, regularise and implement the laws in the convention.
Sedia Jatta, member for Wuli West described the convention as vital but quickly slammed the National Assembly members for smoking in the Parliament. He urged them to keep away from the practice, noting that smoking endangers lives of the people.
Haddy Nyang Jagne, member for Jeshwang said the fight against tobacco should be every ones concern, noting that tobacco consumption and exposure causes death and other diseases. She raised the concern of women smoking noting that the rate of women smoker is escalating.

Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority leader member for Serrekunda East noted that the evident in the convention is clear that tobacco is bad. He called on the WHO to penetrate the manufactures and import and exporters to prevent the wide exposure of tobacco.
Momodou Sanneh, Minority Leader and member for Kiang West described the convention as laudable. He urged for strict laws to automatically ban smoking in the country.