Guinean civil society leader calls for shisha education before sanctions
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Visionguinee
Aboubacar Tulpony Bangoura, vice-president of the Prefectural Council of Civil Society Organisations of Coyah, advocates educating the public about the dangers of shisha before cracking down on its use. He also urges Guinean authorities to target importers and ban imports of the product, in an interview with Visionguinee on 20 October.
Aboubacar Tulpony Bangoura, first vice-president of the Prefectural Council of Civil Society Organisations of Coyah, is calling on the Guinean authorities to educate the public about the risks of shisha before penalising consumers and lounge operators, Visionguinee reports following an interview conducted on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
As security forces’ raids on shisha establishments have failed to end consumption, he also recommends banning imports of the product and targeting importers. In his view, the fight should start at the source rather than being limited to consumers and venue operators.
Bangoura believes awareness-raising, education and communication should come before repression, to encourage a change in behaviour and limit resistance. He also calls on families to take part in preventing use among young people, noting that some consume shisha at home.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
