Recently, ‘Tahidi High School’, a popular program aired on citizen T V. had something spectacular for viewers who watched it keenly. Airing a program of students smoking in the school compound, they are found, punished and later shown the pictures on the effects of tobacco.  The students looked shocked, that they were putting their lives at risk, by engaging in smoking.

It is worth noting that pictures are powerful tools of communication. They motivate behavioral change and communicate directly to the smokers. They reinforce the message.

The choice of topic for such a programme is recommendable and comes at an appropriate time given that tobacco remains a health and social concern in Kenya today. Globally, it is responsible for the death of 5 million people each year. 10 people die every minute as a result of tobacco.

 In the country today, the percentage of smokers is estimated at 26%. That means close to 9 million people.

 The health of a significant percentage of the world's youth is seriously threatened the deadly tobacco products. Nicotine ( a drug in tobacco) is six times addictive than cocaine or heroin. 7 out of 10 smokers start the habit while they are still teenagers.

The Tobacco Control Act 2007, which was enacted by the Kenyan Parliament and came to force in 2008 and World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges that tobacco is an epidemic and that there is a need to protect future generation from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco use and exposure.

Study has proved that tobacco smoke doesn't just harm the smoker only it harms everyone who breathes it. Part iii (10) of the act says; Ministry responsible for education to integrate tobacco matters into syllabuses. And, Tobacco control education and dissemination to form part of health care.

The 2007 Global Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that over 20% of Kenyan youth are using tobacco products. Almost 1/5 of students use any form of tobacco 9.8% are currently smoking cigarettes 12.8% use other forms of tobacco 19.4 % of non-smokers are likely to initiate smoking in the next year.

In 2007, the ratio of girls who smoked was at par with boys. The industry has quickly discovered the lucrative female market. Aggressive campaigns targeting women equate smoking with liberation, glamour, success and slim model like has led to gradual rise of tobacco use among women in Kenya, oblivious of the health effects that tobacco causes abortion and foetal death.

The industry claims that tobacco is legal, but health experts warn that it's not safe.  ‘Tobacco is the only commercial product on the market that will kill you if used as intended’ The youth have been recruited into the habit hence become long term users of tobacco products.

It is important to inform the youth that many of the chemicals in tobacco products are heavily regulated or banned from all other products. They should be taught that tobacco contains over 4,000 chemicals 400 harmful to human life, 40 causes various types’ cancers.

Tobacco affects the entire body of the user, it logs arteries and veins, cuts off oxygen supply, causes gangrene may result to (Buerger's Disease). It also causes impotence, heart attacks and strokes.

 Study reveals that 90% of all lung cancers are due to tobacco smoking. It further causes emphysema, bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Tobacco damages the heart and blood vessels, causes narrowing and blockage of blood vessels to vital organs such as the heart, brain and kidney.

Many youth are hooked to smoking through environmental exposure to direct and indirect pro-tobacco advertising marketing strategies used by the tobacco industry. An increase in experimentation by young people has been another contributing factor.

Tobacco poses a great threat to environment. It causes deforestation- cutting of wood for curing tobacco, clearing large trucks of forest land for planting the crop, use of stronger chemicals and pesticides-dangerous to the soil, causes decline in soil fertility.

Air pollution-constant fire outbreaks during curing period destroys environment. Tobacco sseedlings are prepared along the riverbank causes water pollution. In our cities, the littering of cigarettes butts and polythene papers wrapped on cigarrates packets is a nuisance.

Socially, exposure to second hand smoke at family level and public causes diseases. Misplaced family budgetary priorities at expense of School fees, good health care, proper diet, i.e tobacco does not mix with other crops. It causes bad smell which may lead to isolation hence stress and depression.

The youth must be taught to stop smoking for the following reasons:

Better Health-your body starts to heal itself

Better breathing-the longer you smoke, the harder it is to breath

 Personal appearance-reduce bad breath, yellow teeth, pre-mature aging of the skin

No more second-hand smoke-protect you family, friends

Better smell-your sense of smell will increase, everything smell better including yourself.

To further reduce tobacco intake in Kenya, there is a need of building a coalition with the media and other health networks which will help disseminate accurate information for instance advocate that the drug is addictive in nature.

Organizations should form alliances with other NGOs like medical institutions, economic scientists, and expertise in legal issues, politicians among others to build visible lobbying by engaging the public in active protest, making anti-tobacco issue the national mainstream debate.

There are still other avenues of pressing for anti- tobacco issues to be heard/ discussed at National levels. Lobbying for the adoption of pictorial health warnings on cigarettes.  The public desperately need to be told information that is factual.

ENDS…./