Kenya plans to ban smoking in public places, a measure aimed at preventing thousands of deaths every year, Charity Ngilu, Kenya’s health minister said on 31 May 2005.

She did not say when the ban would take effect. Ngilu also said her ministry had requested that the Ministry of Finance raise the tax imposed on tobacco products by at least 15 per cent. The government imposes 30 per cent excise duty and 16 per cent value added tax on cigarettes imported into Kenya. (pi)