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With the prevailing rates of ignorance by Kenyans in general about the true facts surrounding th growing of tobacco and the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco most attempts at tobbaco restriction be it growing or consumption will be met with resistance by the Kenyan public not out of stubborness but simply lack of understanding of the real issues.

Edicts or gazette notices in which the public are not involved end up appearing as 'roadside' decisions randomly arrived simply to take away their fun and freedoms.

All over the world where there have been efforst to introduce tobacco restrictions, these have first been preceded by massive public awareness campaigns. For ultimately without public support, these efforts even if through legislation will come to nought. For there will simply never be enough manpowwer to police these restrictions effectively.

It is with this realisation in mind that efforts have been made to first make the public aware of the issues and allow them to debate them exhaustively.

This then leads to understanding and acceptance and with the majority on the side of of restrictions they effectively become the biggest agents for succesful policing.

The recent attempts by the Minister for Health Hon. Charity Ngilu to rain in tobacco though a good idea which was long over dure was actually implemented badly and was doomed as has happened to end up booged down in court.

This suspension has resulted in not only lost momentum but also the efforts to reign in tobacco taking several steps backwards.

In order for the right direction to be retaken and momentum gained until the desired goal is achived the Kenyan public must be brought on board. Not just by listening to what others decide but by activley particpating in the process.

This can be done through a number of ways but of neccecity should include:

1. Awareness campaign through the media to sensitise them on what the real issues are. This should be done through way of but not limited to
   1. Public Service Advertisements in the print and electronic media
   2. Articles, documentaries, talks shows on TV and radio
      NB: Use of Kiswahili and vernacular stations to be encouraged so that as many Kenyans as posssible are reached
2. Petitioning of MPs and others in government to enact legislation that will allow sppedy implementation of the same so as to block legal loopholes which allow tobacco conglomerates to tie up efforts in court indefinately.

But the Breathe Easy campaign also seeks to help smokers who wish to quit with cessation programs and also to help with distribution of materials free of charge to help them stop.

The Breathe Easy Campaign will also organise roadshows country wide to help sensitise those smokers who would wish to quit how to go about this.

Smoking cessation information will also be made available to the smokers and their families through PSA's in the print and electronic media as well as the publishing of special booklets not only in English and Kiswahili but also in the vernacular.

For ultimately the Breathe Easy campaign hopes to tackle big tobacco by empowering not only those who have not started smoking to stay smoke free, but by also helping the smokers to quit.

David Ogot Snr.,
Programmes Director,
goinghomedotcom Trust,
7th. July 2006
NAIROBI - KENYA

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