Kenya: Shocker Images to Make Smokers Quit

Source from:  Nairobi Star 12/04/2014

An anti-smoking campaign was launched by the Health ministry in Nairobi yesterday.

Studies have shown the warning messages on cigarette packets have not discouraged smokers.

In the "Tobacco Kills, Quit Now!" campaign, the public will be treated to images of dying babies.

Sounds of babies choking to death after being exposed to tobacco smoke by their fathers will also be aired.

The campaign seeks to encourage quitting by smokers and support for laws on smoke-free public places mainly to protect children.

Funded by the World Lung Foundation, it will will combine public service announcements on TV and radio and community posters in both Kiswahili and English in the next four months.

"Research has shown mass media campaigns are one of the most effective means to discourage smoking," Health PS Khadijah Kassachoon said.

Head of Preventive and Promotive Health Services Jackson Kioko read her speech at the Panafric Hotel.

A study released by the Health ministry last week showed that nearly all babies in homes with a smoker are exposed to tobacco.

"This contributes to the millions of deaths of these children," Kassachoon said.

"The concern is that these numbers will go up, not down, if we don't do something about them immediately," she said.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey showed more than 1.7 million adult Kenyans smoke tobacco.

More than 3.1 million adults are exposed to second-hand smoke at home, the study showed.

The PS said tobacco is the most preventable cause of non-communicable diseases, including cancers, heart diseases, lung diseases and diabetes.

"Most smokers die during what would have been their most economically productive years, below the age of sixty," Kassachoon said.

"The last thing any country needs is an epidemic of cancer, heart disease and lung disease. This is what tobacco brings," Vincent Kimosop said.

Kimosop, who who represented the World Lung Foundation, is the head of the International Institute for Legislative Affairs.

The campaign is being implemented in other countries but was pre-tested before the Health ministry adopted it, Tobacco Control Unit manager Dorcas Kiptui said. Enditem