Kam opposes WHO proposals on tobacco

By John Oyuke

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (Kam) has opposed proposals from the World Health Organisation (WHO) asking governments to phase out tobacco farming by limiting land where the crop can be grown.

It said the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will not only cut income of tobacco growers, but also threaten economies and livelihoods.

Kam Chief Executive, Betty Maina said by failing to provide alternative crops, FCTC requirements could condemn tobacco farmers, their families, communities, and the entire region to economic devastation.

TAX REVENUE

She said tobacco industry continues to play a key role in generating Government revenue and job creation and that any development towards controlling its activities must be administered according to individual country laws.

 “Other than tax revenues, tobacco growing represents an important economic activity in Kenya. It cuts across the tobacco leaf processing and agro-processing industries in terms of source of employment and income,” she said.

Maina was speaking during a meeting to discuss the direct impact of implementation of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control.

In East Africa, Kenya leads the way in tobacco growing with 40,000 contracted farmers.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says seven per cent of Kenya’s GDP comes from tobacco growing – translating to $65 million (Sh5.5 billion) in exports.

On the other hand Uganda has 75,000 farmers under contract, while Tanzania has 95, 000 farmers growing tobacco.  In both the cases, tobacco contributes five per cent of the respective countries’ Gross Domestic Product.

She said the FCTC’s consultation process has to date not involved farmers with only a small number of health bureaucrats left to seal the fate of millions of small farmers without considering realities of tobacco farming.