Kenya Strengthens Commitment to Tobacco Control
Panama City ,2024 On the sidelines of the 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) Meetings, Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni met with Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control Secretariat, to reaffirm Kenya's unwavering dedication to implementing the the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control and its Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products—both of which Kenya has ratified.
During the discussion, the PS expressed concerns about the rising prevalence of novel tobacco product use among women and outlined the government's plans to amend the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations to address this issue. Additionally, she highlighted Kenya's focus on prioritizing the implementation of Article 9 and 10 of the FCTC by investing in local laboratory capacity to analyze the content and quality of tobacco products.
The FCTC Secretariat commended Kenya on its successful alternative livelihood program and pledged to support its expansion. Furthermore, they explored the exciting possibility of Kenya hosting the COP11/MOP4 meetings scheduled for , which would further solidify our commitment to global tobacco control efforts.