The government will establish tobacco cessation and rehabilitation centers, aimed at providing free pharmacotherapy and counselling services for smoking addicts.
According to the Chairperson, Tobacco Control Board (TCB) Dr. Naomi Shaban, the centers will be established at public health facilities, since most of the existing rehabilitation facilities in the country are private and not easily accessible to the people.
Naomi stated that the rehabilitation and cessation centres will be piloted in 10 hotspot counties, and later to rolled out to other devolved units, so that those in need will be helped and counseled at the facilities.
“There are people who want to quit smoking, but have no information and in these centers they will be able to access supportive therapy from trained professionals,” she said.
Naomi, who is also the former MP for Taveta constituency, was speaking to the media at Machakos University during a three day sensitisation forum, where she decried that public health is at stake due to the prevalence use of tobacco products and substance abuse.
The Chair called upon parents and leaders to counsel children and the youth against the use of tobacco, which is causing serious health issues in the society before it’s too late, even as the concerned companies continue to adopt various new techniques to market their products to attract the young generation.
On his part Dr. Andrew Toro, Head of drug and substance abuse at the Ministry of Health, reiterated that there was an increased circulation of tobacco and narcotic drugs in the country after the introduction of a new product called ‘noble,’ disguised as therapeutic products targeting children.
However, Dr. Toro highlighted the government’s commitment in combating tobacco and substance abuse by sensitizing various stakeholders such as the Judiciary, police, religious leaders, parents and teacher’s associations, women groups and the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO).
Additionally, the medic disclosed that they are also involving the healthcare workers to ensure they can promptly detect tobacco and drug abuse to be able to get an early diagnosis, and have a treatment plan at hand for the victims.
By Anne Kangero
Caption
