We have come along way. Way back in 1970’s and before, when anti-tobacco issues would be mentioned in whispers, for fear of intimidation, prejudice and even punishment from powerful individuals and institutions that owned tobacco companies.

Then there was the public ignorance and lack of knowledge and information on the dangers of tobacco. This was a great challenge to us in Kenya and elsewhere.

It is widely acknowledged that information is power. The negative impact of tobacco is clearly felt among adult Kenyans today, thanks to the media for ensuring information flow.

The health effects of tobacco are well documented. Cigarettes remain among the leading cause of death in Kenya today, and this is a result of smoking either directly or indirectly by second hand smoking.
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It has not been easy, spreading the gospel of no tobacco. Initially it was viewed as fighting a war that can never be won. We are yet to win the war we started. We are aware of the magnitude of the challenges involved from the industry, which is well flexed financially and politically connected.

The industry still goes against the spirit of the Tobacco Control Act with impunity, very much in spite of and against the known fact that tobacco kills.

They have mastered the art of packaging and marketing their deadly products. What is mystifying is the nature of packaging this information which makes the industry to gain mileage out of the media.


Currently, the Government is grappling with economic crisis and is hard hit by tobacco-related ailments and environmental degradation as a result of tobacco use and growing.

It is evident that there is a need to give the public factual information about tobacco. For now we can proudly say that our efforts have not been in vain. We successfully lobbied in and outside Parliament for Tobacco Control Bill until it passed into law in 2007.  
Our persistent lobbying continues to Parliament, Government ministries, institutions, trade movements, schools, churches, other NGO’s, Municipal councils, among other institutions.

We shall not rest until the war against tobacco is won. We want to make Kenya truly and effectively tobacco-free. We are committed to carrying out programs and activities to reduce deaths, disabilities and mortalities by facilitating public education on the dangers of tobacco growing, manufacture, use and exposure.  

KETCA has established itself as the most credible source of information on tobacco locally. And as a nation, this is a clarion call as well as getting concerned about issues affecting our health if we truly want to protect our country and the future generations. Making anti-tobacco issue the national mainstream debate should be our top priority and together with “vision 2030”!

If we fail, the professionals of this country will stand accused for all ills and will remain forever accountable in future! I therefore welcome you on board as we launch our strategic plan 2009-2013. Please remember always that an ailing nation is an ailing economy!


Prof. Peter A. Odhiambo
 
Chairman, KETCA