Man files petition in high court to have cigarettes banned in Kenya

Man files petition to have cigarettes banned in Kenya

Mumbi Mutuko

August 5, 2019 4:50 PM

Declare cigarettes illegal in Kenya- Man urges court

A man smoking

Ibrahim Mohamud Ibrahim has filed a petition seeking to have cigarette smoking banned in Kenya.

In the petition, Ibrahim has sued the Ministry of Health, its Cabinet Secretary and the Attorney-General.

He has faulted the government for allowing production, manufacturing, distribution, management, dissemination and consumption of tobacco regardless of its effects on health.

Ibrahim challenged provisions of the Tobacco Act which allows the production, licensing sale and use of tobacco in various forms.

Man petitions to have tobacco banned in Kenya Pulse Live Kenya

According to the petitioner, Tobacco has put the health of Kenyans predisposed to cancer among other illnesses that emanate from smoking.

Relation to cancer

The petitioner faulted the government over what he termed as creating an enabling environment that leaves farmers, manufacturers, traders and consumers exposed to dangers of the product.

In his suit papers, he argued that data from NACADA indicates that the smokers lose 15 years of life on average and that tobacco kills about 1,200 in a day.

Ibrahim further said that the economic interest of tobacco products on revenue for the government should not override the health of the public.

Man petitions to have tobacco banned in Kenya Pulse Live Kenya

The petitioner is seeking to that the court to compel the government to ban the entire production, supply, management, dissemination and consumption of tobacco products as well as cigarettes.

He also wants it declared that cancer is a tobacco related ailment and a national disaster requiring special administrative action which includes banning cigarettes.