Kenya to crack down on smoking (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Kenya to crack down on smoking
by David Mageria
Source: Reuters, Monday, 8/23/99

NAIROBI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Kenya plans to crackdown on smoking, curb
cigarette advertising and stop tobacco company sponsorship of sport and
entertainment, according to a draft bill obtained by Reuterss.

The Tobacco Control Bill, which is expected to be forwarded to parliament
later this year, bans tobacco firms sponsoring sports events and placing
billboards in any area accessible to children under 18..

Cigarette packets will carry health warnings and most public places will
be smoke-free. The bill also proposes a ban on television and radio
advertising and stiff penalties for selling cigarettes to under-age
smokers.

``The purpose of this act is to provide a legislative response to a
national public health problem of substantial and pressing concern.'' the
draft says.

Kenya has done no research into smoking and the number of smokers is
unknown. Tobacco companies say privately that up to 20 percent of adults
smoke and the market is growing rapidly.

Industry analysts say tobacco firms are focusing on Africa and other less
developed regions for sales because of tougher legislation and growing
anti-smoking sentiment in the United States and Europe.

Like many African nations, Kenya relies on the tobacco for much-need tax
revenue and employment. Until now it has allowed tobacco firms to
advertise with few restrictions and existing measures to prevent under-age
smoking are widely flouted.

The managing director of British American Tobacco Kenya (BATK.NR), the
nation's largest tobacco firm, said he favoured industry regulation but
that the bill appeared to simply adopt a World Health Organisation
proposal without taking into account the pecularities of Kenya's market.

``We should recognise what is relevant for our market and what we can
enforce,'' said Jeremy Pike said. The bill should be opened to debate by
farmers, cigarette manufacturers and members of the public, he added.