The government, through the Ministry of Health, has announced the incorporation of cigarette abuse awareness to the curriculum of both primary and secondary schools.
Speaking on the new subject introduced in schools, Tobacco Control Unit Head Dr Dorcas Kiptui, raised an alarm that there was an increasing number of minors getting hooked to cigarettes.
"We have already incorporated tobacco control in the primary and secondary schools curriculum in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
"It is clear from the findings of various studies that increased awareness through education has long-term consequences on those abusing certain tobacco products," Kiptui stated.
[caption caption="A minor holds up a cigarette while smoking"]
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A report prepared by TCU outlines that school children aged between 13 and 15 years of age were taking up the habit due to the accessibility of the drug as well as advertisements put up by large tobacco companies.
According to the report, advertisers put up the suggestive ads close to schools, further drawing learners to the harmful habit.
Other strategies that were reported to be in use include placing the cigarettes near sweets, sodas and other items that are favourites for school going children as well as product displays outside stores.
Dr Kiptui conveyed that the subject of cigarettes was also incorporated into the curriculum for healthcare training, particularly for dentists, medical officers and clinical officers.
Tobacco companies have, however, denied initiating promotional ads targeting children for their products.
Philip Morris International and British Amerian Tobacco both denied targeting children in Kenya and any other part of the world. BAT assured that it has instituted strict guidelines on the same.
[caption caption="Students in a Kenyan classroom face forward as the teacher gives instructions"]
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