KENYAN NGO NOW WANTS LEGAL SMOKING AGE TO BE 21, PUSHES BILL IN PARLIAMENT

A Kenyan-based NGO, African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA), is pushing for the age limit of smokers to be changed from the current 18 years as per the Tobacco Act of 2007 to 21 years for both health and behavioral reasons.

According to the executive chairman Mwangi Macharia who spoke on Monday, the proposed law hopes to protect the health of Kenyans below 21 years.

“Tobacco control is the single most preventable cause of death in the world today, and is estimated to kill more than five million people every year, more than tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and malaria combined. By 2030, the death toll will exceed eight million a year, unless urgent action is taken,” Macharia says in his memorandum to the National Assembly adding that in light of conclusive scientific evidence implicating tobacco production, use and exposure to incidences of debilitating illness, disease, disability and death. The bill aims at protecting young people in Kenya..

This also follows revelations that tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the world today, with reports indicating that the latter kill more than five million people every year – more than tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined, a number that the NGO estimates could exceed eight million a year unless urgent action is taken.

Now Persons aged below 21 years may soon be banned from smoking or accessing tobacco products if that Bill introduced in parliament will be given a nod by legislators..

By Shadrack Andenga Odingashadrackandenga@gmail.com