Business operators in Nairobi have rejected the proposed Nairobi City County Tobacco Bill 2018 terming it a subjective and ‘evil’ way of rising revenue.
The business groups which on Wednesday gave their submissions to the Bill that is currently at the public participation stage said that if signed, the law will push many small businesses out of work and negatively disrupt activities in the country’s tobacco sector.
The bill seeks creation of a county department responsible for health, which will issue licences to retailers of tobacco. Anybody manufacturing, distributing or selling any tobacco product within Nairobi will have to follow the law.
If not, a manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor will be fined up to Sh50,000 or one-month imprisonment while a retailer will face Sh10,000 fine or one month in prison.
Employing the under-aged to sell, provide or supply any tobacco product will also attract fines.
Some of business bodies that attended the hearing include the Retail Trade Association of Kenya, the Kenya Association of Manufacturing, the Pubs and Restaurants Association of Kenya and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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