Policy & Regulations
Evidence of increased awareness on dangers of tobacco smoking according to Kenya Global Adult Tobacco Survey of 2014
– 19.1 % of men, 4.5 % of women and overall 11.6 % overall( 2.5 million adults) currently used tobacco( smoking and / or smokeless tobacco) depicting 5 % reduction in those who smoke from the previous survey of 2012
– 5 in 10 smokers attempted to quit in the past 12 months.
– 17.6 % of adults who worked indoors( 0.7 million adults) were exposed to tobacco smoke at the work place compared to 21 % in 2012.
– 92.8 % of adults believed smoking causes serious illnesses.
• The use of no smoking signages in specific areas accessed by general public has also enhanced awareness on dangers of smoking.
Apart from these, in 2009 the Ministry of health reached out to 15 major towns and cities within the republic for purposes of sensitizing enforcement officers and 100 participants drawn from public health, Kenya police, administration police and council askaris were trained on harmful effects of tobacco use in each town.
The Ministry has also invested in training of public health prosecutors and so far 500 prosecutors have been trained and gazetted.
The most recent series of awareness and sensitization to law enforcement officers has been finalized in 24 counties and the ministry intends to cover the remaining 23 counties.
• Apart from enforcement the officers also create awareness and provide health education around all determinants of health at the community level.
The Ministry of Health is advising the public to be aware of the risks of smoking and encourage them to avoid smoking.
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