The Ministry of Health has gazetted the third batch of Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) under the Tobacco Control Act, reaffirming the commitment to tobacco control and public health protection.
The warnings, which feature approved pictures and pictogrammes, will be required on all tobacco product packaging.
These new regulations will come into effect nine months from the date of publication.
The intervention aims to increase public awareness of the serious health risks associated with tobacco use, deter tobacco consumption, particularly among the youth, and protect non-smokers and other vulnerable populations from the harms of second-hand smoke.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health emphasised the importance of public participation in ensuring the successful implementation of the new regulations.
The public has been urged to report instances of non-compliance, actively support awareness campaigns, and advocate for smoke-free environments.
“Tobacco use continues to pose a significant public health threat, and we must all play our part in reducing its harmful impact. The new GHWs are an important step in our collective effort to protect lives and promote a healthier, smoke-free Kenya,” the ministry said.
The ministry further informed manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sellers of tobacco products that they are required to fully comply with the new GHWs as prescribed by law.
Non-compliance will be subject to penalties as stipulated by the Tobacco Control Act.
The new set of graphic health warnings comes as part of Kenya’s ongoing efforts to align with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which calls for measures to reduce tobacco consumption globally.
The move is also seen as a critical step in safeguarding the health of Kenyans by addressing the long-term health risks associated with smoking, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues.
Kenya has been at the forefront of tobacco control in Africa, having introduced text-based health warnings on tobacco products in 2008.
In 2014, the Tobacco Control Regulations were expanded to include graphic health warnings, which were implemented in September 2016.
These regulations were aimed at making the health risks of tobacco use more visible and immediate, particularly for younger people who are more impressionable.
The Tobacco Control Act (2007), which first came into force in July 2008, initially mandated text-only warnings in both English and Kiswahili. However, following the introduction of graphic warnings in 2014, 15 new images were added to tobacco packaging to enhance the visual impact of health warnings on both smoked and smokeless tobacco products.
