Information taken from the BBC

Kenyan public smoking ban starts

Kenya's neighbours have already banned smoking in public places
A ban on smoking in Kenya's public places has come into force, to reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths.
From Monday, anyone smoking in offices, bus stations, airports and sports venue faces a fine of 50,000 Kenya shillings ($700; £375) or six months in prison.

Bars and restaurants without separate smoking areas are also affected.

Cigarette manufacturers were due to start printing health warnings about the dangers of smoking on cigarette packets but they may appeal in court.

Kenya's 300,000 tobacco farmers, who grow about 20,000 tons a year, fear the ban could seriously hit their incomes.

The BBC's Noel Mwakugu in Nairobi says some of Kenya's five million smokers are in a state of panic, looking for somewhere safe to light up.

HAVE YOUR SAY
There should be draconian measures against smoking

Abdelilah Boukili, Marrakesh, Morocco

Send us your comments
Some have described the penalties for smoking in public places as unrealistic.

No arrests have been reported so far.

A spokesman at the police headquarters in Nairobi has told the BBC that police have not yet received specific orders to enforce the new law.

Officials at Nairobi City Council, which is expected to include the new ministry of health directive into its by-laws, did not wish to comment.

Tobacco tax

The manufacturers say they have stopped producing cigarettes for the local market because they have not had time to print warnings that cover 50% of the packet size, as the new law requires.

British America Tobacco's Kenya spokesman Keli Kiilu said they have sent a protest note to the health ministry asking them to revoke the new directive until consultations are held.

He said the firms may go to court if their plea goes unheard.

Last year, Director of Medical Services (DMS) James Nyikal said tobacco killed some 12,000 Kenyans each year and a public ban would reduce that figure.

Last year the government introduced a 140% tax on cigarettes.

Neighbouring Uganda banned smoking in public places in 2004 but the ban is not strictly enforced, reports the AFP news agency.

Tanzania has also outlawed smoking in public places.

thsi absolutely insane!
the government which had forgotten about its people in the north during the recent drought, which bought mercedes cars for more than 27 million us$ instead of lorries which could have taken food to the north shows now that it cares for its people when in comes to the danger of smoking! the same country grows tobacco and the revenue on tobacco is quite high - for what purpose??? introducing such laws is only meant to corner people!