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Tobacco firms in Kenya puff up profits despite tough laws

Peter Mwangi precariously dangles a cigarette on his coal-dark lips as he serves customers behind his large aluminum box inside one of Nairobi City’s smoking houses. The leisurely way he puffs, while meticulously balancing it so that it doesn’t fall, is almost artistic.

Now and then, he dips his equally dark wiry fingers inside the box and picks different packs of cigarettes and quickly tears them to hand eager customers their favourite sticks. You can feel their relaxation once they light them and take the first puff. The smoking room is dark, with old strands of soot dangling from all corners of the roof. It is like a deserted chimney.

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