[Intl-tobacco] Companies Suspected of Delaying Tobacco Bill in Kenya (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Companies Suspected of Delaying Tobacco Bill in Kenya
Source: All-Africa.com, Tuesday, 4/3/01

The Kenya Medical Association (KMA)has said tobacco companies are using
their financial might and political connections to delay the study of a
tobacco bill brought before Parliament last year.

At a joint consultation meeting convened by the Ministry of Health last
week, KMA charged that tobacco companies were using unethical tactics to
divert attention from health risks associated with tobacco smoking, which
the bill aims to control.

According to KMA's tobacco control committee chairman Charles Maringo,
there are more than five million cigarette smokers in Kenya.

British America Tobacco (BAT) has indicated they are in agreement with the
broad objectives of the bill, but were concerned about certain provisions
they said would conflict with existing bodies if implemented.

Both BAT and Mastermind Tobacco opposed the formation of a board to
regulate the industry. They also opposed proposals on packaging, promotion
and enforcement and punishment of offences. The Cut Tobacco managing
director Chetaan Sevak proposed the formation of a health tax to be paid
directly to the ministry of Health for rehabilitation of hospitals,
purchase of drugs and medical research.