Farmers raise concerns over Tobacco Bill

Tobacco farmers in Tharaka-Nith and Meru counties have raised concerns over the Tobacco-Control (Amendment) Bill 2024 during a public participation forum at Kaanwa Market and Kamundi hall. At Kaanwa, National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health members led by the vice chairperson and Chuka-Igambang'ombe MP Patrick Munene took time to take farmers and other stakeholders through the document, including proposed steps to regulate emerging nicotine products made using synthetic nicotine. After sensitisation on matters touching on tobacco production, packaging and licensing, various stakeholders aired their opposition on some provisions, urging the MPs to make more changes to the Bill. Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina Mathenge was of the view that some farmers had initially been misinformed that the proposed changes were intended to stifle tobacco farming.