Smoking kills six million people annually around the world. Out of these, more than five million are users or ex-users. PHOTO | FILE
Stringent anti-smoking laws that require manufacturers to display graphic images on cigarette packages are set to take effect this week as Kenya moves to implement its global obligation.
Health secretary James Macharia said the implemented would begin as soon as he gets feedback from the Parliamentary Committee on Health.
“The approval by the committee will enable us begin implementing the regulations,” Mr Macharia said last Friday during an event held to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) that many countries worldwide–including Kenya–have ratified.
The regulations published last month have already drawn protests from tobacco manufacturers who say they are likely to squeeze their business space.
The new regulations among other things ban advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco products.
It also bans smoking in public places to protect members of the public from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. Manufacturers or importers of tobacco products will be required to display health warning messages and graphic images on every package.
Dr Custodia Mandlhate, the WHO country representative said it was important for countries to put in place stringent tobacco laws to protect their citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco. She however noted that the biggest hindrance to attaining this goal globally was the tobacco industry.
“Their interests are not the same as the interests of public health. And so we must always be prepared for this opponent.”
Mr Macharia said that even though the tobacco industry generates income for the country through taxes, Kenya was spending much more with regards to addressing the health impacts associated with it.
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