Nyeri to spend Ksh.1.5 million on smoking zones

The Nyeri County Government is planning to spend Ksh.1.5 million to set up smoking zones in the county.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, County Environment Health Director John Mugenyu said the county government plans to regulate smoking by confining smokers to the zones.

They will budget for the funds in the next financial year beginning July.

“It is necessary for the county to have designated zones for smokers. As it stands very many people are affected by secondary smoke because there are no laws governing smoking,” said Mr. Mugenyu.

“Space will be allocated for the zones at Whispers and Sungura Parks and at the lower bus stage.”

The zones are expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Mr. Mugenyu was flanked by Tobacco Control Board of Kenya member Musau Kyanesa who said that the board will work with the county to ensure that they come up with a legislation that will regulate smoking.

“Tobacco is a huge problem in Kenya. We have over 2.5 million Kenyans who are smokers. Of great concern is that 10 per cent of men are a smoker which means that 1 in every 5 men are smokers,” said Mr. Kyanesa.