Traders back tobacco controls, oppose ‘duplicate’ licensing requirements
BAHLITA urges Parliament to include tobacco traders in public participation on the Tobacco Control Bill, warning of higher compliance costs.
The Bar and Liquor Traders Association of Kenya (BAHLITA) has expressed concerns over the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, suggesting that proposed licensing and registration requirements could burden small businesses. The association's members, numbering over 54,000 across the country's 47 counties, currently face age restrictions, licensing, product controls, and tax compliance obligations.
While BAHLITA supports health protection and enforcement measures, they warn against potential duplication in the licensing framework. Currently operating within existing regulatory systems, these businesses should not face multiple compliance obligations. Instead, the association calls for better coordination between national and county governments, suggesting integrated databases, mutual recognition of licenses, and a single-window compliance system.
Their focus is on tackling illicit tobacco trade, which undermines public health, revenue, and fair competition for legitimate businesses. BAHLITA argues that the bill's success should be measured by its impact on youth access, compliance, illicit trade, revenue protection, and public health outcomes. Their call for public participation stems from the Constitution's constitutional requirement for such involvement, enshrined in Articles 118 and 10.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
