Stakeholders in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse now say taxation is the best way to deal with the menace.
They say this has been proven scientifically, and Kenya has no option but to adopt the strategy.
Celine Awuor, the Chief Executive Officer at the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) says that this strategy would prevent initiation, as well as reduction of consumption for those who are already drinking.
“Implementing health taxes, majorly comprising of tobacco and alcohol taxes, has been scientifically proven as being a sure tool in mitigating and addressing the consumption of tobacco and alcohol products, which are a great cause and concern for public health and the soul of the nation,” Ms Awuor said.
She spoke in Kisumu at an Alcohol Control Policy Roundtable and Alcohol harm testimonies launch on November 25, hosted by IILA in collaboration with Students Campaign against Drugs (SCAD).
‘Implementing health taxes, majorly comprising of tobacco and alcohol taxes, has been scientifically proven as being a sure tool in mitigating and addressing the consumption of tobacco and alcohol products, which are a great cause and concern for public health and the soul of the nation’-celine Awuor , iila
Key areas of discussion during the policy roundtable included; highlighting alcohol harm due to alcohol consumption at national and individual levels, and identification of policy pathways to mitigate this menace in light of World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) SAFER technical package which address marketing and availability of alcoholic drinks, and the use of taxation as an option to reduce alcohol harms.
Ms Awuor noted that even though taxation cannot work alone, it is effective.
Margaret Moitalel, former member of the NACADA Board called for a 360 degrees approach to this menace, with community stakeholders on board.
She also proposed that licensing of bars should be done at the national level.
50% tax increase
A Policy brief published by ILA titled: Pathways for implementing alcohol taxes to safeguard public health and safety: Increasing alcohol taxes and reforming the alcohol tax administration in Kenya, proposes that Kenya increases the current taxes by at least 50 percent to address the health externalities.
The WHO technical manual on alcohol tax policy and administration (2023) notes that regarding health impacts, the 50 percent increase in excise taxes has a population health effect of more than 500 healthy life-years gained per one million people.
Hence, the adoption of this recommendation would result in new tax rates, of Sh213.66 per litre, Sh365.15 per litre and Sh534.63 per litre for beers, wines and spirits respectively.
WHO SAFER technical package measures which include addressing the marketing and availability of alcoholic drinks, and the use of taxation as an option to limit or lower consumption, both of which align with the RESET Alcohol initiative objectives.
RESET is a global initiataive that brings together national governments, civil society, researchers and leaders in public health and alcohol policy to implement three alcohol best-buy policies from WHO’s SAFER for alcohol policy.
Kisumu County Chief Officer Trade, Co-operatives, Tourism, Industry and Marketing Timothy Ajwang’ says the county is in the process of opening a rehabilitation centre.
This, he said is in line with the county’s mandate to put control measures to ensure a drug free and alcohol free society.
“It is time to have clear accountability framework for the alcohol industry whose products are ravaging the society. The harm they cause must be borne by them,” noted Fabian Oriri, Lawyer and Policy Development Officer at ILA.
He added: “And we must put in measures to curb the teeth of the industry’s marketing and influence which target young populations and children through shrewd deceptive marketing promotions.”
“Alcohol is the number one killer drug in the world because its withdrawal symptoms are not a joke and they kill very fast. Hence the need to put legislations in place to curb its intake,” said Anne Mathu, Vice-Chair, National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
She noted that the Kenyan government has put different measures in place to help in preserving the physical health of consumers and at the same time promoting their emotional and physical health.
This is informed by proven facts that the social harms of alcohol consumption are extensive, including intrafamily and gender based violence, and road traffic accidents among others.
