Kenya Tobacco Control and Health Promotion Alliance Chairman Joel Gitali has raised concerns over delays in implementing critical tobacco control policies, warning that industry interference threatens public health gains.
He noted that while progress has been made in reviewing graphic health warnings for tobacco and nicotine products, their gazettement has stalled since June 2023.
The graphic warnings are designed to increase knowledge about the risks associated with tobacco use, deter initiation into tobacco, encourage people to quit and warn people who are unable to read about the dangers of the products.
He also criticized the slow amendment of the Tobacco Control Act, despite consultations involving the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health, and civil society groups.
"We have made progress in reviewing graphic health warnings for tobacco and nicotine products, but their gazettement has stalled since June 2023. This delay is unacceptable because it affects public health," Gitali said, urging the Ministry of Health to fast-track the process.
"We worked together and agreed on several amendments, yet we are still waiting for them to be tabled in Parliament. We suspect the tobacco industry is behind these delays," he added.
Gitali further decried the mismanagement of the Tobacco Control Fund, which is meant to support public education, help farmers transition from tobacco, and finance smoking cessation programs.
"Instead of real impact, we see a small group of ministry officials conducting so-called sensitization programs that yield little results," he said, calling for transparency and proper utilization of the funds.
To enhance efficiency, he proposed devolving tobacco control efforts to county governments.
"Since health is a devolved function, counties should be given the mandate to enforce tobacco control laws and run public awareness campaigns," Gitali said.
He also emphasized that tobacco-related funds should be used to strengthen cessation programs in county referral hospitals rather than being spent on new construction projects.
Gitali further warned that the UN-backed Tobacco-Free Farms initiative, which helps farmers switch to alternative crops, is at risk due to inconsistent government support.
"The program has seen success, but without sustainability plans and proper civil society involvement, the industry could easily reverse our gains," he said.
He urged stakeholders to unite against what he described as a well-coordinated and powerful tobacco industry.
"The industry is violating the law with impunity because we are disorganized. We need a united front, led by the Ministry of Health, to ensure real progress in protecting public health," Gitali said.
