In 2016, International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) began a programmatic intervention under a project funded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), titled “Advocacy and Capacity Building for the Effective Implementation of Tobacco Control Policies in Kenya”. This ACBF- funded project enhanced implementation of tobacco control in selected counties through capacity development and technical support [...]
Elimination of Trans fats through Effective Regulation
World Health Organization reports that Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) contribute to about 71% of global deaths annually. It also reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for most of these deaths; about 17.9 million deaths annually with most of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, it is estimated that NCDs account for more [...]
Mental Health is of Supreme Importance During COVID-19 Pandemic
‘There is no health without mental health’- Dr. Brock Chisholm, 1st Director-General, World Health Organization Without mental health there can be no true physical health, this ideology as fronted by Dr. Brock Chisholm set the stage for the world to place mental health issues at the core of all spheres of health; including policy, interventions [...]
TOBACCO, CANCER AND TAX
I AM AND I WILL was the 2020’s theme for the World Cancer Day that was marked on 4th February. This theme intended to highlight the efforts of every person fighting against the disease globally and this includes people trying to quit their smoking habits. With every inhalation of tobacco smoke, smokers expose those close [...]
OPEN LETTER DENOUNCING THE LISTING OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO AMONG ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS BY MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIALIZATION, TRADE AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Currently, Kenya and the rest of the world are joining hands in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). This pandemic continues to claim thousands of lives every day and countries are rushing to come up with measures to curb the virus and deaths resulting from the same. We the [...]
A trans-fat free Kenya; The key to safeguarding health & saving the lives of future generations
Our population generally and our children in particular face a camouflaged threat to their health and well-being. Non-communicable disease emanating from long-term consumption of Trans Fats. Every day, children unknowingly consume an unsafe ingredient, in the food they eat. Trans fatty acids (TFAs) intake has been identified as a health hazard worldwide for both children [...]
Quit Smoking; You Need Your Lungs to Fight COVID-19
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause death and illness, yet it remains the biggest public health threat in the world causing more than 8 million deaths each year; 7 million of theses being as a result of direct smoking while about 1.2 million being as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking [...]
Tobacco Harm Reduction: Why not eliminate?
Tobacco use remains the greatest preventable cause of death globally killing up to half of all its users. It is known for being the leading risk factor for most non-communicable diseases including heart disease and cancer. There are over 7000 chemicals present in tobacco smoke and among these, at least 250 are known to be [...]