In Summary
- According to Gitali, these oral nicotine pouches have also led to the addiction of many school going children in the country
- Gitali has also called out the government’s reluctance in implementing and enforcing tobacco control policies to eliminate tobacco trade across the border
As the world marks International Day Against Drugs Day today activists have called on the government to seal the porous borders that are allowing the trafficking of illicit drugs in the country.
Joel Gitali, Chairman KETCA says that the porous borders have resulted to the unregulated presence of oral nicotine pouches in the country.
According to Gitali, these oral nicotine pouches have also led to the addiction of many school going children in the country.
“Our porous borders, corruption, impunity and laxity of those in authority are to blame. Some of these goods enter thru our ports and other legal routes manned by our own officers. We need action.
“Oral nicotine pouches are now all over the country, unregulated. They are flavoured to attract the youth and children. The government is sort of in slumberland as children of Kenya sink into addiction,” said Gitali.
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Gitali has also called out the government’s reluctance in implementing and enforcing tobacco control policies to eliminate tobacco trade across the border.
“The government of Kenya has been reluctant in implementing and enforcing tobacco control policies, including the WHO- Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and the Protocol on Elimination of Illicit Tobacco Trade across the border,” he said.
He has also faulted the government for failing to increase excise duty on products like oral nicotine pouches and other harmful tobacco products in this year’s budget.
