Public health implication of the proposed kenyan tobacco control bill

Abstract

ABSTRACT Conclusive evidence incriminating tobacco in a wide range of debilitating and fatal diseases that result in millions of deaths has led to a worldwide call for coordinated global efforts to control the tobacco epidemic. Legislation to control quality, labeling, promotion, sale and use of tobacco products is one of the most important strategies recommended to world governments by the World Health Organization, in order to curb the spread of this epidemic. A Tobacco Control Bill, prepared with the effort of Kenya Medical Association among others, prepared for presentation to the Kenyan parliament has provoked a war of words between health professionals and tobacco manufacturers. This paper examines the possible public health implication of the Tobacco Control Bill, if it were to be approved as an Act of Parliament and its provisions enforced.