16 in every 100 adult deaths in Kenya linked to smoking

Tobacco smoking may be causing more deaths in Kenya than was previously thought.

A new analysis suggests that between 2012 and 2021, at least 16.5 per cent of all deaths among adults aged 35 and older in Kenya were attributable to smoking.

This analysis, published late last month, underscores the severe impact of tobacco on public health.

Past estimates, although not comprehensive, returned lower figures.

The share of deaths blamed on smoking in Kenya is higher than the global average, which the World Health Organization places at 12 per cent.

The Kenyan report is prepared by officials from the Ministry of Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, among other institutions.

It shows more than 60,000 deaths between 2012 and 2021 in Kenya were linked to tobacco-related diseases. The leading causes included respiratory diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis and diabetes.

“Of the observed deaths, 16.5 per cent were attributed to smoking, with respiratory diseases (40.5 per cent), malignant cancers (31.4 per cent), tuberculosis (13 per cent), cardiovascular diseases (8.9 per cent) and diabetes mellitus (6.1 per cent) contributing. Pneumonia and influenza, oesophageal cancer, chronic airway obstruction and tuberculosis were primary causes,” the researchers said.

The study ‘Tobacco smoking-attributable mortality in Kenya, 2012–2021’ is published in the Tobacco Induced Diseases journal.

The authors utilised a prevalence-based analysis model to estimate smoke-attributable mortality rates.

This approach involved analysing past data based on age, sex and cause of death.

The findings revealed a troubling increase in tobacco-related deaths until 2016, with some fluctuations in subsequent years.

“The trend of increasing mortality due to tobacco is alarming and reflects a significant public health challenge,” the authors said.

They include officials from the ministry, Kemri, Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Development Gateway and the African Population and Health Research Centre.  A critical aspect of the study was the role of smoking in tuberculosis mortality.

Although smoking is not typically associated with TB, the study found 13 per cent of TB deaths in Kenya are attributable to smoking. This finding aligns with global evidence suggesting that smoking exacerbates TB.

“The link between smoking and TB mortality, especially among men, is a concerning public health issue that needs urgent attention,” the researchers pointed out.   

The authors recommend comprehensive tobacco control measures, including smoking cessation initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of smoking-attributable deaths.

“Our study establishes smoking-attributable mortality as a critical health concern in Kenya. Immediate actions are needed to prevent tobacco use and manage the associated disease burden,” they said.

In Kenya, at least 6,000 individuals die from tobacco smoking each year, according to the Ministry of Health.

The authors said they only focused exclusively on smoking, neglecting other forms of tobacco use, such as smokeless tobacco, which may contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality.

Also, the system of causes of death certification in Kenya is poor.

Kenya is party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to combat the global tobacco epidemic.

The country also has a Tobacco Control Act of 2007, regulating the manufacturing, advertising, promotion and sale of tobacco products.

There were about 3.1 million tobacco users in Kenya at the end of 2022, representing about 5.7 per cent of the national population, according to WHO.