Cigarette manufacturers are up in arms against new restrictions on smoking announced by Kenya's health minister Charity Ngilu recently.

The three main tobacco companies in Kenya – British American Tobacco (BAT), Mastermind and Cut Tobacco – say the ban will drive them out of business. They also accuse the government of failing to consult before announcing the policies, which will cost them dearly.
The tobacco companies are also fiercely opposed to the stalled Tobacco Bill that proposes strict curbs on the promotion and marketing of their products.
The new restrictions announced by the health ministry more than a week ago impose restrictions on smoking in public places. They also give cigarette manufacturers a 14-day notice to implement certain measures, including a "Smoking kills" warning.
The new notice is intended to replace the present small print on the side of the packet which reads, "Ministry of health warning – cigarette smoking is harmful to your health".
Mastermind says the ban will give policemen an opportunity to harass smokers, citing the Sh50,000 fine proposed in the bill. The ministry proposes a six-months jail term in default or both the fine and sentence as penalties for smoking in public places.
In Nairobi over the past week, City Council guards have been harassing people smoking in the streets and demanding bribes – even though the legal notice has not yet been signed into law. It is also unclear whether an open street is within the definition of a public space.
The public places where smoking is restricted include office buildings, working areas, court buildings, educational institutions, residential areas, places of worship, police stations, prisons, markets, shopping centres, cinema halls, children's homes and playing fields. Nearly all government facilities already impose smoking bans in the buildings and compounds, with large warning notices sometimes dwarfing the signboards. (pi)