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Tobacco firm’s cash can’t undo the damage they cause |
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The Star September 22, 2009
BY LUCY ANAYA
According to reports by the associated press, tobacco use will have killed a billion people, by the end of the 21st Century. The death rate has increased 10 times since the end of the 20th Century.
Research by global smokefree partnership, American Cancer Society and Framework Convention Alliance indicates that tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death and disability in the world today. Globally, it kills 5.4 million annually more than Aids and malaria combined.
In Kenya, statistics indicate that the Government collects five billion revenue from tobacco manufacturing companies hence spends 18 billion in curing tobacco related ailments. Smoking prevalence is increasing especially among the youth. The 2007 Global Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that over 20% of Kenyan youth are using tobacco products.
Billions of workers worldwide are risking their health because they are exposed to second hand smoking in their work place, Kenya being no exceptional. These workers are likely to die from cancer, heart disease and respiratory conditions.
Tobacco manufacturing companies knowingly lie to the government and the public that tobacco is a big revenue earner as they continue to sell the dangerous and lethal products. Prof. Peter A. Odhiambo, chairman Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance refutes such claims saying the ultimate health and environment bills are more than three (3) times what the tobacco industry gives in taxes. He adds, “Otherwise, tobacco-growing countries, like Malawi and Bangladesh would have some wealth to boast of. These two countries are among the poorest in the world. To cap it all, BAT (Kenya) recently boasted of exporting tobacco from Kenya to Malawi!
Parts of Western Kenya that grow tobacco are still trapped in abject poverty for instance Migori, Uriri and Kuria.
Families are exposed to dangerous chemicals while harvesting the crop manually or weeding. Women have complained of miscarriages, children skip school to help their parents in harvesting.
Then, there is the issue of environmental degradation. Agricultural/environmental experts have warned that rivers and waters in tobacco growing areas are polluted by effluents from tobacco nurseries. Trees are cut for curing tobacco and the fertility of soil is destroyed by harsh chemicals.
The state has a moral responsibility to protect her people through promoting public awareness about health consequences posed by tobacco consumption. Prof. Odhiambo challenges professionals in the country to join the health workers in fighting the menace. He says it is everyone's responsibility to join in promoting the health of the nation.
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