Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has given tobacco companies and distributors in the country a nine-month deadline to fully comply with the new tobacco packaging requirements in a move the CS states its aimed safeguarding Kenyans from the devastating health effects of tobacco use.

“The Ministry of Health is enforcing strict regulations under the Tobacco Control Act to protect Kenyans from the harmful effects of tobacco, tobacco companies and distributors are hereby given a maximum of nine months from the date of commencement of the Notice to fully comply,” said Duale.

The CS also gazetted health warnings that must be displayed on all tobacco products as part of the new directive to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke emphasizing the government’s responsibility to protect such individuals from after effects of tobacco use like cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases.

“As stipulated in Section 21 of the Act, all tobacco product packaging must carry clearly visible health warnings, including graphic images and pictograms.,” said the CS

Among the new tougher regulations, the CS also suspended all nicotine product licenses with immediate effect while also ordering a crackdown on illicit tobacco including products like shisha and flavoured e-cigarettes which despite the existing regulations, they have still found a way into the market. With suspended licenses, vendors now have an uphill task of meeting the new strict regulations to resume their operations.

Meanwhile, CS Duale emphasized the importance of this new directive to public health insisting its impact goes beyond just legal requirements,

“This directive serves as a stark reminder of the grave health risks associated with tobacco use, ranging from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases,” he stated.

This latest move aligns with Kenya’s commitment to international public health standards, and comes as part of a renewed effort to reduce the number of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths in the country.