PERAK: No Nationwide Public Participation on Tobacco Control Bill

• PERAK has petitioned the National Assembly to conduct nationwide public participation on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
• The association claims the current engagement process is inadequate and exclusionary, excluding many stakeholders from the consultation period.
• A more inclusive public participation process could lead to changes in the bill's provisions, potentially impacting compliance obligations for pubs and entertainment businesses.

PERAK believes that the current engagement process is limited in scope and excludes many stakeholders who should have a say in the bill's provisions.

The Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) has submitted a petition to the National Assembly requesting that the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, undergo nationwide public participation. The association argues that the current engagement process is limited in scope and excludes many stakeholders who should have a say in the bill's provisions. Specifically, PERAK claims that the public consultation period was too short and did not reach all relevant parties, including businesses and consumers.

The Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to strengthen Kenya's tobacco control laws. However, PERAK believes that the bill's provisions will have significant impacts on its member businesses, which include pubs, entertainment venues, and restaurants. The association is concerned that the bill's measures may be overly restrictive and could lead to increased compliance costs for its members. As a result, PERAK is advocating for a more inclusive public participation process to ensure that all stakeholders are heard and their concerns addressed.

The outcome of this petition has significant implications for businesses operating in the hospitality sector. If the National Assembly agrees to expand the public consultation period, it could lead to changes in the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, potentially impacting compliance obligations for pubs and entertainment businesses. Lawyers advising these businesses should closely monitor the situation, as a more inclusive public participation process may result in revised provisions that better balance public health concerns with business interests.

Lawyers advising pubs and entertainment businesses should monitor the outcome of this petition, as a more inclusive public participation process may lead to changes in the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, potentially impacting their compliance obligations.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM