Nairobi, Aug. 18 -- Bar owners want Parliament to stop the ongoing public participation exercise on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and expand it beyond Nairobi, even as they oppose several provisions they say could raise the cost of business and fuel illicit trade.

The Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (Perak), a lobby, said the Departmental Committee on Health is conducting a targeted and limited public participation exercise that excludes many businesses and Kenyans who would be affected by the proposed law.

"A public participation exercise limited to Nairobi and to a select few cannot be said to have accorded the people of Kenya a reasonable opportunity to be heard," Perak said in a petition to the...