Kenya joined the world in marking World No Tobacco Day, with a report by the Ministry of Health indicating that there is progress towards combating smoking through tobacco control policies.
The report , based on findings of a national survey that was conducted twice in 2012 and in 2018 by the University of Nairobi, the Kenya Medical Research Institute, and the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project shows that awareness of the warnings increased from 64 percent to 72 percent.
The Government together with partners, says it has created strong digital platforms where people can find information and social support they need to quit.
The Ministry says, based on the report, concern on health risks of smoking increased from 28 percent to 43 percent of smokers while persons likely to quit increased from 24 percent to 38 percent.
Latest statistics show that more than 8,100 Kenyans die of tobacco related diseases, while more than 200,000 children and more than 2 million adults continue to use tobacco each day. It noted that prevention and cessation services are important to save the lives of Kenyans.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe noted that the government is also working closely with other agencies and counties to implement tobacco control measures that effectively reduce the demand and supply of tobacco.
Medics also say that tobacco smoking damages the lung tissue, predisposing the smokers to severe form of Covid-19.
This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day is Hashtag, Commit To Quit.