Background and Context:
Lawyers have a critical role in reducing cancer morbidity and mortality; however, this is a skill which has not been realized especially in the Lower and middle Income Countries (LMIC).
Tobacco kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600 000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke (WHO 2014)
Second hand smoke is an established cause of heart disease and several types of cancer (Bonaya J – E pub 2012) Combined efforts from all sectors is one way of reducing tobacco related morbidity and mortality.
Aim:
This is an experience paper highlighting the role played by lawyers to undertake advocacy on Enactment of legislation on tobacco free environment to promote a generation of tobacco free kids
Sensitization of law enforcers and the community to enhance their understanding in legislation in as far as control of tobacco use and their rights within the law is concerned
Strategy/Tactics:
- Dissemination of tobacco control legislation through advocacy on law enforcement
- Community education on the dangers on both first and second hand smokers
- Advocacy on alternative cropping for tobacco farmers
- 10 counties reached, about 500 people made up of law enforce religious group and civil societies, community health workers sensitized
Programme/Policy Process:
- The advocacy saw the designation of smoking areas both in public and social places
- Awareness of individual of persons arrested for contravening on of tobacco legislation
Outcomes/What was learned:
- The enforcement of tobacco legislation is still a challenge since a large number of the law enforcing urgency still needs to be sensitized on the tobacco legislation
- Joint efforts with all stakeholders as a way of realizing our theme.
- Lack of knowledge (poverty, awareness of rights and effects of tobacco use)