[Intl-tobacco] Kenya: BAT Lobbies Legislators to Weaken Tobacco Control Bill

[robert weissman]

11/24
From: Ross Hammond <margross@igc.org>


Dear Friends -- Two articles below from Kenya, which recently ratified
the FCTC,
should reinforce the message that ratification is not a panacea and that the
tobacco industry will pull out all of the stops to prevent its meaningful
implementation. Without continuing and concerted pressure from
advocates, I am
afraid these sorts of scenarios will become common place.

Ross


MPs Mix Tobacco Bill Talks With Pleasure - The Nation (Nairobi)
November 22, 2004
Ngumbao Kithi

MPs attending the coastal retreat funded by cigarette manufacturers to lobby
against the Tobacco Control Bill took time out an Saturday for a fun-filled
afternoon. More than 40 MPs put aside their formal attire to travel to the
cavort in the waters of the exotic Chale island in baggy shorts, T-shirts,
Kikois and open sandals.

The MPs denied that the retreat was part of a scheme to shoot down the
anti-smoking Bill. The chairman of MPs from the tobacco growing areas,
Mr Sammy
Weya, said the
Chale island visit was merely a team-building exercise for the workshop
going on at the Safari Beach hotel. Our visit to Chale Island is part of
the capacity building of this workshop. We are going there to have fun and
further discuss this Tobacco Control Bill, which must be amended if it can
pass in Parliament, he said.

The MPs took walking tours of villages on Chale island, trolled the beaches,
enjoyed boat rides, played beach volleyball and took part in watersport
activities before being driven back to their hotel in the evening.

As their sessions continued, they suggested several amendments to the
anti-smoking Bill which is contested by the cigarette companies. They said
the Bill should read, Tobacco Products Regulation Bill and not Tobacco
Control Bill. And instead of having a Tobacco Control Board, there should be
a Tobacco Regulatory Committee.

The MPs also suggested that a new paragraph be inserted to ensure that the
Committee has a representative of the business community nominated by the
Kenya Association of Manufactures, representative from the Ministries of
Finance, Agriculture and Trade and Industry, Kenya Bureau of standards,
tobacco farmers and three representatives of the tobacco industry.

The workshop, however, was boycotted by representatives form the ministry of
health, though they had been invited.

Mr Weya said the Bill could pass in parliament but must be amended and be
friendly. He said some of the articles were impractical. He cited the
provision that minors under under 18 years should not be sold cigarettes.

"If those below 18 years are not supposed to handle cigarettes, what happens
if they are sent by their parents or relatives to buy for them, are they
supposed to be given letters, identification documents of those who sent
them to buy the cigarettes or what should happen?" he asked.

Mr Weya noted that it would be important for the ministry of Health
officials to be present at the forum to say how much they spent in treating
cigarette smoking-related illnesses. He said the Bill condemned the tobacco
industry and wondered if there were plans to bring a Bill against alcohol
and meat which can also be harmful if consumed in excess.

"The ministry of Finance and Agriculture were represented in this workshop
and were given an opportunity to explain themselves after hearing from
experts on how dangerous this Bill is to our economy. The ministry of Health
who are the authors of the Bill decided to stay away," he complained.

Mr Weya said there must be an alternative source of earning a living if the
Tobacco industry was the subject of condemnation by the government.

Only one cabinet minister, Mr Ochilo Ayacko of Gender, Sports, Culture and
Social Services, was present. Assistant ministers present included Joshua
Toro, Peter Odoyo, Mutua Katuku, Danson Mungatana, Maina Kamanda and Dr
Wilfred Machage.

The lobbying effort funded by the tobacco industry has raised eyebrows,
particularly because the MPs are getting handsome cash allowances in
addition to having all their travel, accommodation and meals paid for.

Meanwhile, Gina Din Corporate Communications, which was reportedly
coordinating their workshop, denied that BAT and Mastermind Tobacco were
their clients. In a statement, the public relations firm said it took
exception to claims that it could have been involved in any effort to
compromise members of the National Assembly.

http://allafrica.com/[...]es/200411220824.html

The Nation
EDITORIALS
MPs playing dice with death
Publication Date: 11/23/2004

The way MPs are handling the Tobacco Bill can only be described as
absurd. As they
reminisce about their treat in Mombasa, perhaps a few home truths about
smoking and
its effects will jolt them back to reality.  Currently, the most
debilitating
affliction that is a direct result of smoking is Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary
Disease (COPD). This is an obstruction of the airways . It is
progressive and, over
time, irreversible.

It is estimated that, by 2020, this disease will be the fifth leading
cause of
death worldwide after heart diseases, stroke and cancer.

The World Health Organisation now estimates that 600 million people are
afflicted
with the disease worldwide and almost three million deaths are
attributed to it
annually. In the US, it is the fourth ranking cause of death, with a
quarter of a
million new cases and half a million hospitalisations every year.

It is equally unsettling to know that, out of Kenya's 30 million plus
population,
50 per cent of adult men smoke an average of five to 10 cigarettes a
day, with a
majority inhaling their first puff before they are 16.

And, although figures of tobacco-related diseases in Kenya are unclear,
20 per cent
of smokers are known to get this disease in other countries. Most
unfortunately,
the number of people who smoke in Kenya appears to be on the rise.

Quitting smoking is the major intervention in preventing this disease.
Although
some anti-inflammatory drugs may offer respite, this is just a temporary
measure.

Of course, there are those who argue that tobacco contributes
significantly to the
economy. But this is a drop in the ocean against the health bill the
country has to
pay, treating smoke-related diseases.

As MPs debate the Tobacco Bill, these are the points they have to
ponder. Anything
short of this will be a disservice to the people.