Consumer attitudes towards Tobacco control Act(2007) in Nairobi

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objective of investigating consumer attitudes towards the Tobacco Control Act (2007) in Nairobi. The main objective being to determine consumer awareness and recognition of the Tobacco Control Act (2007), as well as to determine attitudes that consumers have towards Tobacco Control Act (2007). The study also set out to identify consumer responses towards the Tobacco control Act (2007). To achieve the objectives above, primary data was collected from thirty (30) respondents selected from ten (10) smoking zones in Nairobi's city centre. As a way of pre-selection, only three (3) respondents from each smoking zone were surveyed. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered through a personal interview and responses analyzed using descriptive statistics. Therefore data was presented using tables, charts, graphs and percentages. The research found out that consumers are well aware of the presence of the Tobacco Control Act (2007). However they show no prevalence or liking towards the way the Tobacco Control Act (2007) is enforced; and consequently, they are not driven to respond favorably to the Tobacco Control Act (2007). Majority of the smokers interviewed expressed their concern and dislike for most of the aspects brought forth to measure consumer attitudes on the Tobacco Control Act (2007). It was revealed by the research that female smokers do not utilize the smoking zones designated for smokers in Nairobi's city centre. Consumers feel that smoking has been criminalized and is a violation to their human rights. They support smoke free policies and would like to be left alone to smoke responsibly. Some of the recommendations arrived at revolved around carrying out a similar research on consumer attitudes towards Tobacco Control Act (2007), in the rural Kenya and comparing it with the Nairobi one.