OUR STATEMENT ON THE KENYAS CRUCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO CURB TOBACCO FARMING AND CONTROL TOBACCO USE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

A joint Statement of spearheaded by NCD Alliance Kenya, Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA), Consumer Information Network (CIN), International Institute For Legislative Affairs (IILA), National Taxpayers Association, Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) and Students Campaign Against Drugs (SCAD).

We, the tobacco control players and NCD advocates, gathered in Sarova Stanley Nairobi this morning (August 14th, 2023) for a press statement on Kenya’s contribution in reducing tobacco production and promoting alternative farming for public health. This follows a comment by Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Hon. Moses Kuria implying that a thriving tobacco business is beneficial for the economy. In his own words, Hon. Moses Kuria stated on his Twitter account, 

“ The tobacco industry contributes more than 1% of our GDP, contributing more than 18B annually, employing thousands of our people and huge earnings to our tobacco farmers mostly in the counties of Busia, Migori and Homabay…”

According to the CS, a booming tobacco industry delivers enormous economic gains in terms of employment and GDP contribution. As tobacco control/NCD advocates, we are outraged by this lack of knowledge of public health problems. Tobacco consumption statistics are startling. Every year, tobacco smoking kills 9,000 Kenyans through illnesses such as cancer. CS Kuria’s comment appears to endorse industry’s activities and embolden them to continue their operations. The move by CS Kuria will have irreversible consequences for the WHO and FAO Tobacco Free Farms initiative in Migori, where over 1,000 tobacco growers have been introduced to alternative crops.

During the press conference, we applauded Kenya’s efforts to combat the tobacco pandemic and reaffirmed our commitment to reducing tobacco usage. As public health advocates, we strongly disagree with Trade CS Moses Kuria’s remarks, which appear to applaud the economic contributions of the tobacco industry while, in fact, the industry is contributing to the rise in the number of non-communicable diseases in Kenya. In low-resource settings like Kenya, health-care costs for NCDs quickly drain household resources. The exorbitant costs of NCDs, including treatment, which is often lengthy and expensive, combined with loss of income, force thousands of people into poverty annually and stifle development.

The meeting did not meet TCA guidelines

The meeting between Trade CS and Mr. Cripin Acholla (MD of British American Tobacco) is in contravention of Kenya’s Tobacco Control Regulations (2014) and article 5.3 of the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FTCT). To safeguard public health, the Kenya Tobacco Control Act (TCA) bars government officials from interacting with industry representatives. The act also specifies how meetings with industry representatives should be conducted in order to minimize industry interference. Tobacco companies have a long history of undermining tobacco control efforts. A clandestine meeting with the industry and a public declaration in support of the tobacco industry undoes the progress accomplished in reducing tobacco usage.

As noted by Samuel Ochieng while reading this joint statement, the Kenya TCA is an important piece of legislation designed to protect public health in Kenya. The prohibition of meetings between government officials and tobacco industry players has the sole purpose of ensuring government decisions are made in the best interests of the Kenyan people.

Quick facts about Tobacco CS Kuria should know

1. Tobacco kills over 9,000 Kenyans annually according to Ministry of Health Kenya. Government supporting the tobacco industry only means perpetuating these deaths. This is irresponsible. Supporting tobacco farming directly contributes to promoting an industry that thrives on addiction and ultimately causes unimaginable suffering and loss of lives.
2. It is an economic fallacy to claim that a strong tobacco industry is good for the economy. While tobacco farming may seem profitable in the short term, its long-term economic implications are dire. The healthcare costs associated with treating tobacco-related diseases among users and non-users alike by far outweigh the economic benefits of the industry. Redirecting resources from tobacco farming to sustainable and healthier alternatives can lead to a more resilient and diversified economy.
3. Tobacco cultivation places a significant strain on the environment through deforestation, excessive water consumption and chemical usage. This not only depletes natural resources but also contributes to climate changes and undermine the very ecosystem that are critical to for the wellbeing of the Kenyan communities. A public endorsement of the activities of the industry is at variance with Kenya’s commitment toward climate change action.
4. In terms of ethical considerations, the industry has a long history of unethical practices, including targeting vulnerable populations, using misleading advertising and undermining public health policies. By supporting tobacco farming and establishment tobacco factories, Kenya is deliberately promoting the use of tobacco.

Health should take precedence over short-lived economic returns

The tobacco industry only cares about its profit margins and capturing new markets. The health of Kenyans is least of their concerns. The government of Kenya must conform to the guidelines laid in the tobacco Control Act and FTCT. Fiscal policies such as excise taxes should be implemented on tobacco products. The government of Kenya must take a bold stance against tobacco farming and use of tobacco and novel tobacco products. The health of Kenya must take precedence over short-lived economic gains and retrogressive practices. The Government must reduce their growing appetite for revenue collection and concentrate on building a healthier nation; a nation free from tobacco-related diseases and deaths.