A tobacco lobby group has called on the Health Ministry to tighten and fully implement tobacco control regulations.
The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA) said the only way out of the tobacco epidemic is to stop the industry from recruiting new smokers and helping the current smokers to quit.
In a statement, the alliance chairman Joel Gitali said products such as nicotine pouches only worsen addiction to tobacco and nicotine rather than helping smokers to quit.
“We note that the Lyft pouches, which were banned in 2019, are still being sold. They do not have graphic images and adverse health warnings as required. The ministry must act and bring those responsible to book,” Gitali said.
Smoking is a leading risk factor for several diseases such as cancer, diabetes, respiratory disorders, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
It also increases the risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases and immune system problems, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Tobacco use continues to kill at least 9,000 Kenyans every year. This is three times the total number of Kenyans killed by Covid-19 in the last year.
According to the 2015, Kenya STEPS survey of non-communicable disease, at least 2.5 million adults use tobacco products in Kenya, which constitutes 11.6 per cent of the population.
This survey must serve as an evidence base to strengthen NCD prevention and control initiatives in the country,” KETCA National Coordinator Thomas Lindi said.
The World Health Organisation this year launched the ‘Commit to Quit’ campaign to support tobacco users who are actively taking steps to save their lives but still need help to succeed.
The campaign is currently working directly with 29 focus countries, including Kenya.
Each country agreed with WHO on selected activities, including, running national awareness campaigns, releasing new digital tools, revising policies, engaging youth, training health workers and opening new cessation clinics.
Other areas of agreement include supporting nicotine replacement therapies through WHO partners, establishing national toll-free quitlines, making quitting courses available, and more.
“Smokers have up to a 50 per cent higher risk of developing severe disease and death from Covid-19, so quitting is the best thing smokers can do to lower their risk from this coronavirus, as well as the risk of developing cancers, heart disease and respiratory illnesses,” WHO DG Tedros Ghebreyesus said.
“We urge all countries to play their part by joining the WHO campaign and creating tobacco-free environments that give people the information, support and tools they need to quit and quit for good.”
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
