Did you know that the World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31, this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) clarion call is that governments across the world should enact policies for plain packaging of tobacco products.
The WHO slogan for this year is "Get ready for plain packaging".
In a statement released today the World Health Organisation said:
"Plain packaging is an important demand reduction measure that reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products, restricts the use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling, and increase the effectiveness of health warning."
Plain packaging of tobacco products refers to measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style.
Kenya was not left behind in marking the day led by WHO representative in Kenya Dr Nathan Bakyaita and National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chairman John Mututho.
Bakyaita said the WHO will continue in their quest to help Kenya in the fight against tobacco use.
Mututho who also spoke at the event took his time to blast the county governments for failing to come up with legislation to combat the use of tobacco.
Tobacco is a major cause of lifestyle diseases with 1 out 5 Kenyans exposed to it through second-hand smoking.