The Ministry of Health has issued a stern warning to tobacco manufacturers, importers, and distributors, signaling a new phase in Kenya’s efforts to curb tobacco-related harm. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing stricter tobacco control measures, focusing on compliance with graphic health warning regulations under the Tobacco Control Act.
Taking to social media platform X, CS Duale declared that the Ministry will not tolerate any attempt by tobacco firms to sidestep legal obligations aimed at safeguarding public health. “Section 21 of the Act is clear all tobacco packaging must now display prominent graphic health warnings and pictograms,” he stated.
Manufacturers have been granted a nine-month window to fully align their packaging practices with the newly gazetted standards, as outlined in the third round of Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) published by the Ministry on Friday.
“These warnings are not optional. They are an essential public health intervention meant to educate, deter, and ultimately protect Kenyans especially our youth from the well-documented dangers of tobacco use,” the CS emphasized.
The new directive underscores the Ministry’s growing urgency in tackling diseases linked to tobacco consumption, including cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory conditions. The GHWs will now be a mandatory feature on all tobacco product packages entering or sold in the Kenyan market.
The Ministry was categorical in its notice: any player in the tobacco supply chain who fails to meet the compliance deadline will face legal consequences, as provided for in the Tobacco Control Act.
Beyond reducing smoking rates, the updated GHW policy aims to combat the normalization of tobacco in society, shield non-smokers from second-hand exposure, and reduce the burden on Kenya’s health system.
The Ministry has called on all stakeholders including civil society, health professionals, and law enforcement to support the full rollout and enforcement of the updated regulations.
With these steps, Kenya joins a growing number of countries using evidence-based tobacco control policies to address one of the world’s most preventable public health crises.
