Issues The Gambia

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of the Gambia. Every year, more than 500 of its people are killed by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 1000 children (10-14 years old) and 105000 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobacco eachday. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in the Gambia and ensures that tobacco'sdeath toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resources to strengthen theirefforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

19.3%More men smoke in the Gambia than onaverage in low-HDI countries.

Female

0.8%Even though fewer women smoke in theGambia than on average in low-HDIcountries, there are still more than 4300women who smoke cigarettes each day,making it an ongoing and dire public healththreat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

1.35%More boys smoke in the Gambia than onaverage in low-HDI countries.

Girls

0.13%Even though fewer girls smoke in the Gambiathan on average in low-HDI countries, thereare still more than 100 girls who smokecigarettes each day, making it sign of anongoing and dire public health threat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

6.37%Even though fewer men die from tobacco inthe Gambia than on average in low-HDIcountries, tobacco still kills 8 men everyweek, necessitating action frompolicymakers.

Female

2.52%Even though fewer women die from tobaccoin the Gambia than on average in low-HDIcountries, tobacco still kills 2 women everyweek, necessitating action frompolicymakers.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in the Gambia amounts to 52million dalasi. This includes direct costs related to healthcareexpenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivity dueto early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

1.1% Even though fewer people use smokeless tobaccoon average in the Gambia than on average in low-HDI countries, 11500 people still currently usesmokeless tobacco, indicating an ongoing publichealth challenge, including heightened levels of oralcancers.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 36834%larger than the Gross National Income of the Gambia. Theindustry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions ofnation-states because of their extensive resources and globalmarket power.

Growing

n/a

Production

n/a

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Solutions The Gambia

Current Policy in theGambiaProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Gambia

33.33%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources None

National Quitline No

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Text

Percent of Pack Covered 30%

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience No

Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation No

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness No

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

7/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

9/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

High

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising at point of sale• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names• Brand name of non-tobacco products used for tobacco product• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement)• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco products• Complete ban on sponsorship• Any form of contribution (financial or other support) to any event,activity or individual• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support bythe tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals

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