Tobacco industry interference in price and tax policies in Kenya: Analysis of tobacco industry internal communication documents

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, disease and disability resulting in 7 million deaths yearly with approximately 890,000 deaths occurring as result of exposure to second hand tobacco smoke. The six leading tobacco companies are experiencing tremendous growth, with a combined gross profit of USD 44.1 Billion. Driven by their main objective of profit maximization, the Tobacco Industry (TI), has sought to manipulate government agents to safeguard or at times expand market for their products. The overall goal of this study was to provide insight into their activities in undermining Tobacco control policies in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to document the history of tobacco industry interference in Kenya, create awareness on tobacco industry tactics to policy makers, decision makers and the public and to stimulate action against tobacco industry interference in public health policies. A database compiled by the University of California in San Francisco since 2002, served as the primary source of information for the study and supplemented with information from key searches in online and offline media, newspaper articles, journal articles, websites and Key Informant Interviews. The study established that the Tobacco Industry over time interfered with policy therefore the findings will guide policymakers now and, in the future, to counteract Tobacco industry tactics and strategies in Tobacco control policy making. Funding: The study was co funded by Centre for Tobacco Control (CTCA) in Africa and Makerere University School of Public Health