Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to a smoke-free future during the national celebrations for World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2025, presided over by Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale at Uasin Gishu Primary School in Uasin Gishu County. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” shone a spotlight on deceptive marketing strategies targeting the youth and emerging nicotine products.
In a symbolic show of Kenya’s zero-tolerance stance on illicit tobacco trade, CS Duale led the destruction of 5.5 tonnes of seized illicit tobacco products at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) earlier in the day, sending a strong message of enforcement and accountability.
Speaking to hundreds of students, local residents, and health officials, the Health CS announced a raft of bold measures to curb tobacco use and shield the public—especially young people—from aggressive industry tactics. Chief among these was the signing of a new legal notice introducing 17 updated graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging, with a specific focus on emerging nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and vapes.
“This is not just a health issue—it is a fight for the future of our children,” said Duale. “We will not allow the tobacco industry to manipulate our youth with misleading advertising and flavored nicotine products.”
In line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Duale emphasized Kenya's ongoing efforts to insulate public health policies from industry interference. He also lauded the Ministry of Health’s collaboration with the County Government of Uasin Gishu in launching a youth-focused anti-tobacco awareness campaign, aimed at educating young Kenyans on the dangers of both traditional and emerging nicotine products.
The event also served as a platform for the Health CS to rally public support for the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration initiative. He briefed attendees on the benefits and packages under SHA and updated them on ongoing health sector reforms aimed at accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in alignment with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Other key speakers at the event included Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms. Mary Muthoni, Tobacco Control Board Chairperson Dr. Naomi Shaban, and Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Hon. Evans Kapkea. All echoed a unified call for strengthened tobacco control and community-based health awareness.
The event concluded with cultural performances and a public exhibition of anti-tobacco materials, reinforcing the national commitment to protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine.
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