[2008-07-09]  BAT Gets Reprieve Over Cigarette Pack
Leading tobacco manufacturer, British American Tobacco, has received a six-month reprieve from a requirement to display large health warnings on its cigarette packages even before the new regulations on the industry takes effect.Public Health and Sanitation minister Beth Mugo says the delay is due to failure by her ministry to provide the company with the Kiswahili translation of the health warning which it is supposed to print on cigarette packets."Due to the delay in providing you with the translation, you are expected to comply with the Tobacco Control Act 2007 Part VI (210) within six months," the minister said in a letter to British American Tobacco managing director Nicholas Maistre.

It was not immediately established whether the extension will apply to other manufacturer and distributors of tobacco products.The minister, as well as the permanent secretary, Dr James Nyikal, did not answer their mobile phones when we called.The minister's extension means that the large health warning that cigarette packages are supposed to carry will not be introduced until January 1, next year in line with the new law which became effective from yesterday (Tuesday).
The company is the dominant player in the industry. Other players will likely take the route that the multinational takes.
But BAT had already asked distributors of its products to remove any branded products immediately to avoid any litigation from the government.



Source: ALLAFRICA