Kenyan tobacco ad ban could spread to neighbours

LONDON (Brand Republic) - Kenyan MPs have introduced a bill in the country’s parliament which could outlaw cigarette-related advertising from next year.

If passed, Kenya would be the first country in east Africa to ban cigarette advertising, and could start a domino effect with neighbouring countries also legislating against advertising tobacco products.

The proposed legislation would require public places to set aside designated non-smoking areas and is likely to result in declining tobacco sales in developing countries.

According to reports in local press, the tobacco industry has lobbied the government against the move. Companies such as British American Tobacco argue that Kenya’s low capita consumption, compared with that in the US and Britain, does not warrant restrictions.

Kenya’s first government action on smoking was in 1980, when it was outlawed in public places by the then health minister. However, the ban was not binding by law.

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com