[Intl-tobacco] Kenya may ban public smoking

[robert weissman]

Kenya may ban public smoking
The Standard
May 31, 2005

By Allan Kisia

Kenya will soon legislate a ban on smoking in public.

A legal notice on smoking is to be published in due course to outlaw the
habit, senior Ministry of Health officials said yesterday.

The Director of Medical Service, Dr James Nyikal, said the new law proposes
to protect non-smokers from the effects of secondary smoking.

He urged Kenyans to refuse to accept anyone to smoke cigarettes within thei=
r
space.

Nyikal said the Tobacco Control Bill (2004) was due to undergo amendments
after colleting views from Kenyans.

The Bill is expected to align Kenya anti-tobacco legislation with the laws
in much of the developed world, where anti-smoking lobbies have forced
governments to impose strict controls on the sale and use of tobacco.

Addressing cigarette smoking properly would result in huge savings for the
health sector, less suffering for those affected and fewer premature deaths=
,
Nyikal said.

Calls have been made by activists to the Government to ensure the Bill is
improved to address the problems faced by tobacco farmers.

Nyikal said his ministry had proposed to Treasury to increase tax on tobacc=
o
by at least 15 per cent in this year=92s Budget.

He said the proceeds would then be used to improve awareness campaigns on
dangers of tobacco and to treat the sick.

"There is an urgent need to increase tax on tobacco in the next financial
year and the money will be used to treat the sick and educate Kenyans,"
Nyikal said.

He was speaking in his office during a news conference to announce the
ministry=92s stand on smoking, as the world celebrates World No Tobacco Day
today.

This year=92s theme is The Role of Health Professionals in Tobacco Control"=
.

National Campaign Against Drug Abuse director, Joseph Kaguthi, asked tobacc=
o
farmers to plant other crops, which he said were more profitable and
friendly to their health.

Nyikal said tobacco continued to be one of the top killers, adding that
Kenya was increasingly suffering from non-communicable diseases with smokin=
g
being the major contributor.