By Ken Marau
Kenya, a party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), is mandated to include graphic health warnings (GHWs) on tobacco packaging to reduce tobacco and nicotine use.
GHWs are more effective than text-only warnings in conveying the harms of tobacco and nicotine products’ use.
The International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) therefore applauds the Ministry of Health for gazetting the new set of GHWs which marks an incredible milestone by the Kenyan government to protect its populace against the devastating effects of tobacco and nicotine use.
This is a commendable move in the approach towards improving public health and awareness of the dangerous effects associated with the use of both traditional and emerging/new tobacco and nicotine products. This decision aligns with global best practices and demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens over the commercial interests of the tobacco industry.
According to the Kenya Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI) dashboard, tobacco smoking causes about 12,000 deaths annually in Kenya.
Tobacco use is a risk factor for numerous diseases, including chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and diabetes.
Tobacco use further results in disability and death and imposes significant economic costs on Kenya’s health system and economy.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) Kenya National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2021-2026 NCDs account for more than 50percent of in-patient hospital admissions and 39percent of all deaths annually.
Tobacco use is a risk factor for NCDs that contributes to these hospital admissions. The data on TCDI Kenya dashboard on the Morbidity, Mortality, and Economic Burden of Tobacco Use in Kenya (2023) highlighted that Kenya experienced 60,228 deaths attributed to tobacco-related diseases (respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, malignant cancers, tuberculosis, and cardiovascular diseases) among adults aged 35 years and older where out of the 60,228 observed deaths, 9,943 (16.5percent) were attributed to tobacco smoking.
In this regard, therefore, the gazettement of the GHWs is a testament to the fight against non-communicable diseases, particularly those related to the use of tobacco and nicotine products.
These warnings, which include vivid images and strong messages, have been proven to effectively communicate the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use, reduce the appeal of tobacco and nicotine products, and motivate users to quit.
By making these warnings mandatory, the MOH has taken a significant step in reducing the prevalence of tobacco use and its associated health risks.
In 2018, IILA carried out a study which found that the GHWs on cigarette packaging were ineffective and did not meet WHO recommendations.
Among the three images assessed, the image portraying mouth cancer had the highest recall among both smokers and non-smokers due to its relatability while the other two didn’t have any significant communication and recall.
The new set of GHWs should address these issues, comply with WHO guidelines, and provide relatable warnings about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products use to aid in quitting.
The GHWs will play a crucial role in educating the public about the severe consequences of tobacco and nicotine use and they will serve as a constant reminder of the health risks, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Such warnings are particularly effective in reaching individuals who may not have access to other forms of health education.
The WHO FCTC has long advocated for the use of GHWs as part of comprehensive tobacco control policies. Kenya’s initiative is a testament to the country’s leadership in public health and its dedication to meeting international health standards.
The tobacco industry fought against the GHWs and this was evident during the public participation forums conducted across the country. This tendency has been evident in the past where the tobacco industry interferes with laws, policies and regulations by delaying or weakening their implementation through employing tactics like lobbying, litigation or carrying out public relations campaigns aimed at hindering the efforts of public health and obfuscating the dangers of tobacco use.
As we commend the MOH for prioritizing the well-being of Kenyans, we request that they prescribe the GHWs, use relatable high-quality GHWs with clear communication of nicotine harm continuous enforcement and full implementation of the GHWs to ensure compliance from the tobacco industry and guarantee that there will be no industry interference in the process.
The MOH must work closely with other relevant government agencies, non-state actors, and the public to ensure the sustained success of this initiative.
The gazettement of the GHWs by the MOH is a milestone in the country’s public health journey. It reflects a proactive perspective in the fight against tobacco-related diseases and sets a positive example for other nations.
This decision will certainly contribute to a healthier, more informed population and a significant reduction in tobacco and nicotine use.
Marau is the Programmes Manager at the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA)
