It is very regrettable to see cigarette advertisement on schools in the capital Hargeisa and other regional cities of Somaliland.

According to the Bulletin of the World health organization: a cross-sectional study on tobacco marketing:

"Tobacco is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, responsible for an estimated 18%, 11% and 4% of deaths in high-, middle- and low-income countries, respectively. Since the prevalence of smoking is falling in high-income countries but increasing in many middle- and low-income countries, the global burden of disease caused by tobacco use is expected to shift increasingly from high-income countries to countries with lower incomes. Marketing by the tobacco industry plays a substantial role in smoking initiation; bans on such marketing can be an effective means of reducing tobacco use.^”

Therefore, it is very obvious that marketing increases tobacco consumption which in turn increases tobacco related diseases such as heart and lung disease, which are hard to cure in Somaliland.

Similarly it is very disheartening to see big boards advertising cigarette in front of the ministries of education, health, and Hargeisa main hospital, with no mention of cigarette health hazards.

In conclusion, the Minister of education and other high ranking officials should stop poisoning our beloved children and resign from office as soon as possible.

By Kaahin Ardaale