Kenya should increase its cigarette excise duties in line with World Health Organization guidelines, according to coalition of health experts, tobacco control advocates and national development policy specialists, reports People Daily Kenya. The call comes in response to the government’s 2023-2024 financial budget, which for the first time in a decade maintains cigarette tax levels at...
As new tobacco products targeting children flood the country, the Ministry of Health has agreed to cede more powers to the entity created to fight them. The ministry said it would propose amendments to the Tobacco Control Act to make the Tobacco Control Board stronger. The board was created under the Tobacco Control Act 2007 but...
Health experts, tobacco control advocates and national development policy specialists in Kenya have renewed their demands on the taxation of cigarettes. They are basing their arguments on the recent tax announcements in the 2023/24 financial year budget which did not adjust the excise duty on cigarettes upwards, despite proposals. And for the first time in about...
Concerns are raised over the surge in the use of electronic cigarettes popularly known as e-cigarettes among Generation Z. An e-cigarette is a device that allows you to inhale nicotine in a vapour form rather than smoke. According to study findings by the Brain and Mind Institute based at the Aga Khan University Nairobi, the prevalence...
The 2023 Africa Tobacco Industry Interference Index was launched on Wednesday October 18, in a virtual event attended by tobacco control advocates, government officials, the media, and other stakeholders. The Index, produced by the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research and the Global...
It shows the industry is audaciously and successfully fighting Kenya’s health laws. In Summary The interference has enabled the tobacco industry to flood the Kenyan market with unregulated nicotine pouches and other unregulated products such as e-cigarettes. Recently, MPs asked the Ministry of Health to ban nicotine pouches in Kenya because they flout the Tobacco...
Kenyan legislators are urging the government to ban the sale of BAT’s nicotine pouches Velo and Lyft, reports 2Firsts. Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha was questioned about the products during a parliamentary address. The Kenyan Tobacco Control Act (KTCA) states that all packaging of nicotine pouches and tobacco products must contain warnings in English and Kiswahili. Sabina Chege,...
Senators are now pushing for a ban on electronic cigarettes or strict regulations on the use of the substance. In a motion tabled by Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma, the senators raised concerns over abuse of nicotine and the increasing usage of e-cigarettes by underage users mostly students in primary and secondary schools. The Senate wants the...
In Summary •Kuria’s plans threatened the United Nations-led programme in western Kenya where former tobacco farmers have been transitioned to high-value crops such as iron-rich beans. •The statement was also signed by the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance-Kenya, Consumer Information Network, International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), and the National Taxpayers Association. Health lobbies have opposed ongoing plans to...
Addiction to tobacco and nicotine termed one of the biggest public health threats In Summary • These products often come in appealing flavours, making them enticing to nonsmokers, youth and children • The organisations called for strict regulations on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of oral nicotine pouches to protect nonsmokers and the youth Kenya faces a resurgence...
