Businesses petition parliament for nationwide public participation on tobacco bill
Businesses under the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) have petitioned the National Assembly to conduct nationwide public participation on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, saying the current process is inadequate and exclusionary. The businesses presented signed petitions to the National Assembly on behalf of Kenyans from various constituencies, calling…
The Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) has urged the National Assembly to hold nationwide public participation forums on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024. PERAK claims the current consultation process is insufficient and excludes many stakeholders. The businesses presented signed petitions to the National Assembly, urging the committee on health to hold consultations across Kenya to give affected parties a chance to voice their opinions.
PERAK National Chairman Michael Muthami expressed concern that the current Bill could negatively impact businesses if enacted as written. Traders are particularly wary of proposed bans on flavored tobacco products and the requirement for tobacco sellers to obtain county licenses, both of which they argue could raise operational costs and drive consumers towards illegal goods.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Catherine Mumma, aims to update the Tobacco Control Act to regulate emerging nicotine products, but businesses worry the lack of consultation has resulted in a one-sided process that could undermine their interests.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
