Duale warns tobacco firms against violating new packaging rules

Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale has warned tobacco manufacturing firms against violating the new regulations on the packaging of tobacco products.

In a statement on X on Saturday, CS Duale noted that the Ministry of Health is enforcing strict regulations under the Tobacco Control Act to protect Kenyans from the harmful effects of tobacco.

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

“Tobacco companies and distributors are hereby given a maximum of nine months from the date of commencement of the Notice to fully comply.”

The CS added that the new directive on tobacco packaging serves as a stark reminder of the grave health risks associated with tobacco use, ranging from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

“The warnings are meant to educate, deter and protect, especially the youth and vulnerable populations,” he said.

“Failure to comply will attract the full force of the law.”

The Ministry of Health on Friday gazetted the third batch of Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) under the Tobacco Control Act in a move that emphasised the government’s commitment to tobacco control and public health protection.

The warnings, which feature approved pictures and pictograms, 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.

The ministry, in a statement about the gazettement, 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, the ministry warned, 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.