Study about a 2007 tobacco control public opinion survey in Kenya

The journal Tobacco Control publishes in his November 2013 issue a research paper about a poll conducted in Kenya in 2007 whose results helped to advocate for a new tobacco control law.

Tob Control 2013;22:423-426 doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050058

• Research paper

Using findings from a public opinion poll to build political support for tobacco control policy in Kenya

1. William K Maina1, 
2. Rachael Kitonyo2, 
3. Ahmed E O Ogwell3

+Author Affiliations

1. ¹Division of Noncommunicable Diseases, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Nairobi, Kenya
2. ²Policy and Legislation, International Institutes for Legislative Affairs, Nairobi, Kenya
3. ³Regional Advisor, Tobacco Control, WHO Regional Offices for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo

1. Correspondence toDr William K Maina, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, P.O. Box 30016 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya; [email protected]

1. Contributors WKM drafted the first version of the paper and prepared the final manuscript after AEOO and RK reviewed it and made their inputs. AEOO reviewed the manuscript and revised its formatting. WKM also sought approvals for the study from the Ministry of Health. RK coordinated the data collection and analysis. WKM revised the paper after the reviewers comments were discussed by all authors. All authors read and approved the final version of the paper before submission.

• Received 18 May 2011
• Accepted 24 April 2012
• Published Online First 23 May 2012

Abstract

Objective To assess the level of public support for tobacco control policies and to discuss how these findings could be used to influence the legislative process in the passing of tobacco control law in the country.

Methods A cross-sectional study conducted in Kenya between March and May 2007 on a random sample of 2021 (991 men and 1030 women) respondents aged 18 years and above. Interviews were done using a structured questionnaire by a research consultancy firm with long-standing experience in public polling.

Results The majority of respondents supported tobacco control policies as proposed by WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. For example, 95% of the respondents supported smoking restrictions in all enclosed public places and workplaces, 94% supported visible health warnings on tobacco product packages, 83% supported a ban on advertisements of cigarettes and tobacco products and 69% supported a ban on sponsorship of events by tobacco companies. However, 60% perceived that there was very little commitment by legislators to tobacco control.

Conclusions There was overwhelming public support for tobacco control policies and a general view that government was not doing enough in implementing policies to protect the public from tobacco harm. This public opinion poll was used as an advocacy tool to generate support among legislators for national tobacco control law.