October 2021
African governments must secure their tobacco control efforts from tobacco industry interference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lomé, 27 October 2021 For several decades, the tobacco industry has made frantic efforts to portray itself as a development partner. However, the maiden Africa Tobacco Industry Interference Index, launched this 27 October 2021, provides concrete evidence that across the continent, tobacco companies influence governments to undermine policies to protect the population from...
BAT joins tobacco’s health push with energy-drink investment
Joins a health push amid efforts to move away from tobacco and nicotine. British American Tobacco Plc invested in startup Tru Inc., a maker of energy and wellness drinks, as the owner of Lucky Strike cigarettes joins a health push amid efforts to move away from tobacco and nicotine. BAT’s corporate-venture unit Btomorrow Ventures led a...
‘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...
