https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240123/british-american-tobacco-company-forces-kenya-to-weaken-health-warnings-on-nicotine-pouches-reports-1064748530.html

British American Tobacco Company Forces Kenya to Weaken Health Warnings on Nicotine Pouches: Reports

Sputnik Africa

Current tobacco regulations in Kenya require that labels occupy one-third of the package and provide comprehensive information about the health risks... 23.01.2024, Sputnik Africa

2024-01-23T13:10+0100

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British American Tobacco (BAT) forced Kenyan authorities to weaken health warnings on nicotine pouches, media reported.The company reportedly threatened the government to withdraw investment from its new factory in the country's capital, Nairobi. Not only were the warnings reduced in size, but the mention of carcinogens was also removed, according to the outlet.In its report, a government task force, concerned about the potential increase in nicotine addiction among young people, called for rigorous regulations to be imposed on the company. However, some politicians are going a step further and insisting on a complete ban on these products, the media said.This is not the first incident in which BAT has been linked to controversial actions in Africa. In December 2023, the Nigerian competition commission said that the company is obliged to pay a $110 million penalty after a three-year investigation into a wide range of anti-competitive practices.In 2017, British media revealed that BAT, along with other multinational tobacco companies, had pressured the governments of about eight African countries to remove or relax regulations designed to reduce smoking.

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British American Tobacco Company Forces Kenya to Weaken Health Warnings on Nicotine Pouches: Reports

13:10 23.01.2024

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Philafrenzy / British American TobaccoBritish American Tobacco

British American Tobacco - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 23.01.2024

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Philafrenzy / British American Tobacco

Rasina Musallimova

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Current tobacco regulations in Kenya require that labels occupy one-third of the package and provide comprehensive information about the health risks associated with the product.

British American Tobacco (BAT) forced Kenyan authorities to weaken health warnings on nicotine pouches, media reported.

The company reportedly threatened the government to withdraw investment from its new factory in the country's capital, Nairobi. Not only were the warnings reduced in size, but the mention of carcinogens was also removed, according to the outlet.

Two passers-by smoke on Zabelin Street in Moscowb Russia, April 23, 2022. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 31.07.2023

WHO Puts Russia Among Countries Best Protecting People From Tobacco Smoke

31 July 2023, 16:59

In its report, a government task force, concerned about the potential increase in nicotine addiction among young people, called for rigorous regulations to be imposed on the company. However, some politicians are going a step further and insisting on a complete ban on these products, the media said.

This is not the first incident in which BAT has been linked to controversial actions in Africa. In December 2023, the Nigerian competition commission said that the company is obliged to pay a $110 million penalty after a three-year investigation into a wide range of anti-competitive practices.

In 2017, British media revealed that BAT, along with other multinational tobacco companies, had pressured the governments of about eight African countries to remove or relax regulations designed to reduce smoking.