New drive launched to help smokers kick habit
What you need to know:
- Although the Kenya Tobacco Control Act, which outlaws smoking in public places, was enacted in 2007, the Gats report shows that enforcement of the law is low.
A national anti-smoking campaign has been launched in the wake of a report that shows more than 2.5 million Kenyans are habitual tobacco users.
The drive ‘Tobacco Kills–Quit Now’ seeks to help smokers stub it out.
It will also warn people about the harmful effects of smoking, particularly the hazards of second-hand tobacco smoke to the unborn, infants and young children.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (Gats), 3.1 million adults have reported exposure to second-hand smoke at their homes.
Most adult smokers are increasingly preferring to smoke from the comfort of their homes, thus putting children at risk of tobacco smoke, which is related complications.
Children exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to suffer respiratory and ear infections, asthma and sudden infant death.
In addition, pregnant women in contact with smoke are likely to give birth to children with low birth weight.
Although the Kenya Tobacco Control Act, which outlaws smoking in public places, was enacted in 2007, the Gats report shows that enforcement of the law is low.
NIGHT CKUBS AND BARS
A majority of all the adults surveyed (86.1 per cent) admitted to being exposed to second-hand smoke in night clubs and bars.
Entertainment spots are particularly notorious because they allow patrons to smoke cigarettes and encourage the use of shisha, a type of flavoured tobacco.
Two out of every 10 respondents said they were exposed to second-hand smoke in restaurants, while 17.6 per cent of those who work indoors reported exposure to second-hand smoke at the workplace.
The report, however, says most Kenyan adults expressed a desire to stop smoking.
