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{
    "id": 234173,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/234173/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 253,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "[Mr. Bett]",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 157,
        "legal_name": "Franklin Kipng'etich Bett",
        "slug": "franklin-bett"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a country we get a revenue of Kshs6 billion from 3766 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 16, 2006 the tobacco industry yet we spend Kshs18 billion to treat tobacco-related diseases. We are saying that, we are throwing away Kshs12 billion. The Kshs6 billion that we get as revenue is only one- third of what we use to treat diseases. This one-third is our benefit, while the other two-thirds is our loss. The United States of America (USA) spends US$50 billion to treat tobacco-related diseases. Germany spends US$22 billion. The United Kingdom spends US$46 billion and New Zealand US$42 billion. Each of these countries receives only one-third of what it uses as benefits from the tobacco industry. If I was asked today, I would tell the Minister for Health that the law to be enacted should simply read, \"No smoking or taking of tobacco substances\" period! That should be the Act of Parliament. In this way, we would save ourselves so much loss that we will get into, as a people. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, statistics available to me indicate that we lost over 12,000 people last year as a result of tobacco-related diseases. Out of this number, 4,000 were non- smokers like myself. Why should I die because another person is smoking across the table? Let smoking be dealt a blow through this law. We need proper control, or complete elimination of tobacco from our country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have heard about cancer; cancer of the skin, cancer of the uterus and cancer of the lungs, all related to smoking. However, there is one other problem which I do not think I have heard anybody mention, and I am asking if there is a possibility of research being undertaken into it. I understand that tobacco reduces the flow of blood into the male organs. That means there is no erection of the male reproductive organ."
}