The tobacco industry is increasingly exploiting regional trade agreements to circumvent public health laws, a new study by the International Institute for Legislative Affairs has found. Researcher Peter Magati says multinational tobacco firms are using frameworks such as the EAC and African Continental Free Trade Area to centralize manufacturing in low-tax countries, including Kenya, before distributing products duty-free across the region. It warns this can undermine neighbouring countries’ tobacco-control measures.

PETER MAGATI – RESEARCH