‘Is it really worth it?’: NGO determined to ‘protect the youth’ by championing stronger tobacco control laws
Despite the disturbingly clear health warnings plastered on the fronts of cigarette cartons, smoking remains the number one cause of preventable deaths globally. In South Africa alone, there are 4 200 tobacco-related deaths recorded annually. Aware of the threat that tobacco poses to our health and the environment, a network of young, vibrant individuals have banded together to form...
We unpack what some African countries are doing about tobacco control
Rapid population growth, increased advertising by the tobacco industry, and growing tobacco consumption among young people in Africa all contribute to a projected massive tobacco-related burden of disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in five African adolescents use tobacco. The WHO also forecast a doubling of deaths related to tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries between 2002 and 2030. There...
Gov’t urged to implement the 2021 Tobacco industry interference report
The government has been urged to implement a number of recommendations made in the Kenya 2021 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Report. In the report by Consumer Information Network (CIN) , the government has been accused of failing to protect Kenyans from effects of Tobacco usage despite pressure from lobby groups. CIN recommends that the ministry of...
Tobacco smugglers cash in on pandemic – JTI
Tobacco smugglers all over the world have taken advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to promote their low-cost, inferior products to low-income consumers, according to Japan Tobacco International (JTI). Speaking during a webinar on "Anti-Illicit Trade and Getting to Net Zero: Sustainable Strategies to Stamp out Illegal Trade of Tobacco Product," Ian Monteith, JTI senior global director for anti-illegal trade, said...
Expert says fight against tobacco industry has waned, needs innovation
A new international report said the global fight against tobacco use has waned, and former Health Professions Council (HPCSA) president Dr Kgosi Letlape said innovation and new regulations are needed. Dr Letlape, who was one of the experts that worked on the report, said: “We must differentiate between smoking and smokers. “Remember that behind every cigarette...
British American Tobacco to pay former employee Sh5 million for unfair dismissal
The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu has ordered British American Tobacco Kenya Limited to pay a former employee over Sh5 million as compensation after he was dismissed from work. Justice Stephen Radido said that Julius Mark Bwibo was fired unfairly. “The court finds and declares the termination of the claimant’s employment was unfair. The claimant is awarded...
Kenya: BAT pushes to sell nicotine pouches, health advocates say No
Health promotion advocates want the ministry to uphold the current ban on the products In Summary •The CS in September last year declared the registration of nicotine pouches commonly known as Lyft as illegal consequently temporarily ceased being in the market. •The poisons board had registered it as a pharmaceutical product. Tobacco control lobbyists have called on the Health...
US approves E-cigarette marketing as Kenya debates approach
This marks the first set of electronic nicotine delivery system products ever to be authorized by the FDA. In Summary • The FDA considered the risks and benefits to the population as a whole, including users and non-users of tobacco products, and importantly, youth. • Health CAS, Mercy Mwangangi, said that Kenya is yet to review its...
Kenya must step up bid to help smokers quit the killer habit
Nine in ten of Kenya’s 2.5 million smokers regret having taken up the habit, according to a report by the International Tobacco Control (ITC) in May. Yet it seems necessary support frameworks for smokers are insufficient or non-existent, with little effort made by relevant government bodies to help them quit. The Ministry of Health says smoking is a...
BAT’s UK headquarters oversaw and financed a South African corporate spy ring
High-level employees from British American Tobacco’s U.K. headquarters oversaw a corporate espionage ring in South Africa, buying expensive surveillance equipment that was later used to illegally spy on the company’s competitors, leaked documents show. Allegations that British American Tobacco’s (BAT) South African unit had bribed law enforcement agents to disrupt its competitors’ operations hit headlines...
