Nairobi, May 12 -- The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has pushed back against sections of the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024 currently before the Senate, citing risks of a higher cost of doing business, a conflicting regulatory framework, and growth in illicit trade.

The manufacturers' lobby said that the regulation should focus on controlling tobacco use and enabling informed consumer decision-making rather than adopting outright prohibitions.

"Industry proposes a balance between public health objectives and government duty to foster investments," KAM Chief Executive Officer Tobias Alando said in a submission to the Senate on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2024.

"Experience across multiple countries shows that ...