Residents of Eldoret Divided Over Proposed Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products
WHO findings underscores the devastating global impact of tobacco use, which claims over 8 million lives annually, including 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke
Twenty-year-old Sharon Ochieng, grappling with a cigarette addiction since 2019, persists in her struggle to quit despite experiencing detrimental health repercussions
A recent public participation exercise in Eldoret regarding a draft bill on graphic health warnings for tobacco products has elicited varied responses from residents.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and the Tobacco Control Board, the exercise aims to enhance awareness of tobacco-related risks, deter initiation into tobacco use, reduce consumption, encourage cessation, and address challenges related to language barriers and illiteracy.
The Eldoret Bar Owners Association, Uasin Gishu Chapter, has raised concerns about the inclusion of graphic images, such as coffins, on cigarette packages, alleging that they misinform the public. They emphasized the significant revenue contribution of the tobacco industry to the government and advocated for adults above the age of 18 to have the freedom to decide on tobacco use.
20 year old Sharon Odhiambo, a cigarette smoker since 2019, expressed her struggle with addiction, citing peer pressure as the initial reason for starting and the subsequent inability to quit despite experiencing adverse health effects. She voiced strong support for the Ministry of Health’s efforts to curb tobacco consumption.
Samuel Ochieng, CEO of Consumer Information Network, highlighted Kenya’s obligation as a WHO member state to adopt the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) since 2003. He emphasized the effectiveness of WHO MPOWER measures in saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
Ochieng called for a total ban on tobacco smoking in Kenya, drawing parallels with countries like Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Uruguay which have implemented comprehensive smoke-free policies, safeguarding the health of millions by prohibiting smoking in public spaces.
WHO findings underscores the devastating global impact of tobacco use, which claims over 8 million lives annually, including 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Additionally, it emphasizes the highly addictive nature of nicotine and the multitude of health risks associated with tobacco use, including various cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
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