The Ministry of Health has vowed to enhance tobacco control measures to protect the public.
Principal Secretary of State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni said they had embraced a collaborative approach to curb violations of the Kenya Tobacco Control Act.
While acknowledging Kenya faces challenges related to novel tobacco products and enforcing the Tobacco Control Act, the PS Monday convened a key meeting bringing together various stakeholders in renewed anti-tobacco war.
“To prioritize public health, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni convened a vital meeting, aiming to implement global treaties, including the WHO-FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products,” she said.
“These global accords are integrated into Kenya’s Tobacco Control Act, forming the basis for the fight against the ever-evolving tobacco industry. Kenya is resolute in its commitment to protect citizens from the health hazards posed by tobacco use” the PS added.
She stated that the collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s tobacco control journey, paving the way for a healthier, tobacco-free future.
Kenya has witnessed serious violations of the Kenya Tobacco Control Act with Members of Parliament two weeks ago petitioning the Ministry of Health to ban the sale of Nicotine pouches in the country.
The Kenya Tobacco Control Act of 2007 – which regulates all tobacco products and nicotine pouches – requires the packaging of these products to carry warnings in both English and Kiswahili.
The Ministry promised to set up a technical team to look into the Tobacco Act of 2007 and come up with recommendations
The WHO-FCTC Protocol is an international treaty with the objective of eliminating all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products through a package of measures implemented by countries in cooperation with each other.