Most Kenyans support tobacco tax but laws on product use hazy for many

Most Kenyans support taxation on tobacco products although many are not aware of the various laws governing the use of the product.

According to a survey carried out by Ipsos Kenya on behalf of the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (ILA), 83 per cent of the respondents supported the taxation with those at the Coast showing 90 per cent support.

“The government should be strict in enforcing the tobacco control law as the survey also showed that cigarettes are still sold in single sticks,” said ILA chief executive officer Vincent Kimosop at a Nairobi hotel Wednesday where the results were released.

The survey which involved 2,059 respondents and which was carried out between April 28 and May 7 this year showed support for taxation on tobacco cigarettes was also high in Western at 87 per cent followed by Nyanza and Rift Valley which tied at 86 per cent while Eastern polled at 80 per cent.

The main reasons given for supporting taxation of tobacco products’ policy was that it would help in reducing intake (48 per cent), would help improve the country’s economy since it is a productive industry (36 per cent), it is harmful to people’s health (12 per cent) and that it was just like any other product (three per cent).

“Those who opposed taxation of the product said it would make it expensive to buy the products (30 per cent) while another seven per cent said that taxation does not cater for farmers’ interests,” said the survey.

However, the poll also revealed that only a third of Kenyans are aware of laws or regulations with regard to the use of tobacco such as the Tobacco Control Act of 2007.

The highest level of awareness was reported in Nyanza at 42 per cent, followed by the Coast region at 37 per cent and Rift Valley, (33 per cent).

Only 10 per cent of Kenyans know that cigarettes should not be sold in single sticks but in a packet, while nine per cent are aware that cigarettes should not be advertised.

Survey

The survey also revealed that only five per cent know that smoking in public is against the law while another four per cent know the harmful effects of smoking.

However, 70 per cent admitted to knowing that cigarettes should not be sold to persons under the age of 18 years.

“Not only is tobacco use a chief contributor to non-communicable diseases and deaths, but also negatively impact on the economic development of the country,” Mr Kimosop said.

The ILA noted that Kenya falls below the 70 per cent tobacco tax threshold as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The organisation said statistics indicated that there had been a decline in real cigarette tax revenue even as consumption increases with cigarettes tax yield having fallen from 35 per cent to 30 per cent between 2000 and 2008.