Omar Conteh: Report Reveals 673 Tobacco-Related Deaths Occur Annually in The Gambia

Group Photo © Alieu Jallow

By Haddy Ceesay

The head of the Tobacco Industry Monitoring Team, Mr Omar Conteh, has revealed that 673 people die from smoking-related causes annually in The Gambia, according to the 2025 Tobacco Atlas report.

Mr Conteh made these remarks during a stakeholders’ public health and tobacco-control meeting at The Gambia’s National Assembly in Banjul on 21st May 2026. The meeting brought together government officials, health representatives, members of the tobacco control committee, and the National Assembly Health Committee to discuss tobacco control and substance abuse in the country.

Speaking to Parliamentarians, he urged the government to provide stronger support to the Tobacco Control Committee to ensure the effective implementation of tobacco control policies. He expressed concern over the increasing number of young people affected by harmful substances, including tobacco and alcohol.

According to the report, “tobacco use continues to be an epidemic in The Gambia. Government complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic protects the tobacco industry in the Gambia as the death toll grows every year."

Despite the regulation, the Tobacco Atlas 2025 Report reveals that tobacco illness costs the country over D415 million annually and claims 673 lives every year. The report also noted that 135,000 male smokers dwarf some 3,000 female smokers in the country.

During his presentation, Mr Conteh recalled one of the committee’s operations against harmful substance use in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment centres, particularly in an area known as "the Village", members of the enforcement team were criticised and allegedly forced out of the area while carrying out their duties. He claimed that some government officials failed to support the committee during the operation.

Contrasting government efforts to discourage smoking, he emphasised that the country’s Tobacco Control Act 2016 remains one of the strongest tobacco control laws in Africa and is fully compliant with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. However, he added that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke and called for the enforcement of 100% smoke-free public places.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Select Committee on Health, Hon. Amadou Camara, thanked stakeholders, the Ministry of Health, and the media for their continuous efforts in promoting public health and national development. He noted that health challenges affect the broader society and called for unity and cooperation in addressing national issues, particularly those related to public health and substance abuse.

The head of the Tobacco Industry Monitoring Team also noted that despite the collection of millions of dalasis through tobacco licences, implementation challenges continue to affect tobacco control efforts. He highlighted the importance of parliamentary support through budget allocation, stronger oversight, and resistance to tobacco industry interference.

He acknowledged the support of civil society organisations and development partners for their contribution to tobacco control initiatives in the country. He encouraged members of Parliament and regulatory authorities to continue working towards a healthier and tobacco-free society.

The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by health authorities and stakeholders to strengthen tobacco control measures and protect public health in The Gambia.