During the World No Tobacco Day Commemoration held in Freetown on Friday, May 31st, Dr. Santigie Sesay, the Director at the Directorate of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health within the Ministry of Health, presented alarming statistics regarding the impact of tobacco use in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Sesay reported that tobacco consumption is responsible for approximately 3,330 deaths each year in Sierra Leone. Notably, 900 of these deaths are attributed to second-hand smoke exposure alone, underscoring the extensive reach of tobacco's harmful effects.

The situation is further exacerbated by the widespread use of tobacco among both adults and children in the country. Dr. Sesay revealed that 955,000 adults and 4,000 children aged between 10 and 14 engage in tobacco use annually. These figures highlight a critical public health challenge that requires immediate and sustained action.

Dr. Sesay emphasized the strong connection between tobacco consumption and noncommunicable diseases. He identified tobacco as a significant risk factor for a variety of serious health conditions, including heart attacks, respiratory infections, and cancer. He also pointed out the particularly severe consequences for pregnant women, linking tobacco use to complications such as miscarriages and stillbirths.

The dangers extend beyond smokers to those exposed to second-hand smoke. Dr. Sesay stressed that non-smokers are also at significant risk, with second-hand smoke contributing to severe health issues among this population.

To address this crisis, Dr. Sesay called for urgent and comprehensive action from all stakeholders. He urged for the enforcement of the Nicotine and Tobacco Bill, which includes measures such as higher taxation on tobacco products, implementation of smoke-free policies, and strict advertising restrictions. Dr. Sesay believes that effective enforcement of these policies could prevent thousands of deaths and mitigate substantial economic losses over time.

Supporting Dr. Sesay’s call to action, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), commended Sierra Leone’s strides in tobacco control. She highlighted the enactment of the Narcotic and Tobacco Bill as a significant milestone.

Dr. Moeti encouraged countries to accelerate their efforts in implementing the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. She emphasized the need for stringent measures to combat the marketing of new and emerging tobacco and narcotic products, particularly those targeting young people through social media platforms.

The information presented during the World No Tobacco Day Commemoration underscores the pressing need for a united and aggressive approach to tobacco control in Sierra Leone. With the health and lives of thousands at stake, the call for robust policies and their effective implementation has never been more critical.