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Momodou
Denmark
11790 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jun 2007 : 23:16:54
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A COUNTRY-WIDE SENSITISATION
ON FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) KICKS OFF
By Sarjo Camara-Singhateh
“This is yet another milestone in our collective war against tobacco, which claims over 5 million lives around the world every year” says the World Health Organisation’s Communications Officer, Mr. Momodou Lamin Gassama, at a one day consultative workshop organised by the RAID-Gambia at the Kanifing Municipal Chambers on 27 June Mr. Gassama who read the statement of the WHO’s Representative, Dr. Nesto Shivute, seized the opportunity to extend their warmest felicitation to the government of The Gambia for ratifying the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, without which, he said, they would not have been there today to discuss implementation. He said they have also acknowledged the efforts made by the SoS for Health, Dr. Tamsir Mbowe, and his able team for advancing this agenda with our honourable members of Parliament for its ratification.
He stated that the convention has now been ratified by over 148 countries the world over, 33 of which are in Africa, with The Gambia and Uganda being the latest parties of the convention. “It has been developed in response to the global tobacco epidemic, providing a comprehensive and strategic approach to tobacco in both developed and developing countries” He noted.
Declaring the workshop officially opened, Mr. Yoro Jallow, representing the SoS for Health and Social Welfare stated that the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the statement of health. He said the WHO FCTC represents a paradigm shift in developing a regulatory strategy to address addictive substances in contrast to previous drug control treaties, which asserts the importance of demand reduction strategies, as well as supply issues.
On his part, the Director of RAID-The Gambia said that recent reports have indicated that Tobacco kills more than 4.9 million people globally. He said almost half of the world’s children are exposed to second Hand Tobacco Smoke. He stated that the rate of Tobacco consumption is on the increase by this present generation. He also pointed out that RAID aims to advocate for tobacco free Gambia.
On his part, the mayor of KMC Mr. Alieu Momar Njie said that every one has the right to clean air and that he extends his unflinching support to campaign against Tobacco Smoke. He pointed out that if you look at the records one will simply know that tobacco kills and it has a negative impact on human beings.
He concluded his speech by saying that KMC has also joined the fight against Tobacco Smoke, by declaring KMC a smoke free zone. He said whosoever want to smoke should leave the KMC premises.
The meeting was chaired by Lamin Bojang, speaker of the National Youth Parliament.
The workshop brought together Youths, Police PRO, Population Department, Journalists and other relevant stakeholders.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 75/2007, 29 June – 1 July 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2007 : 19:09:32
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Good to read that people in Africa are aware of the risks of tobacco. This seems to be necessary: The big tobacco companies are losing sales in Europe and US, so I could imagine that they want to compensate their losses by trying to increase the African market.
I stopped smoking by the beginning of this year, after long years of addiction. When I was in hospital with my injured arm, they found out some other nice things, like stenosis in the legs - from smoking. I'll have an operation soon. 
I was surprised how easy it was to stop smoking! Maybe now I am definitely a very, very boring person because I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke marihuana or take other drugs, and now even stopped smoking.  But this time in hospital made me more aware of my health. |
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