An Assessment of Level of Compliance with Smoke-Free Provision of the Tobacco Control Act 2007 in Licensed Liquor Establishments in Nakuru County, Kenya

The study sought to assess the level of compliance with smoke-free environment provisions of the Tobacco Control Act, 2007 in licensed liquor establishments in Nakuru East sub-County. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The target population consisted of 264 licensed liquor establishments in Nakuru East Sub County. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaire and observational checklist. The independent variables were awareness of Smoke-Free Environment provisions of TCA, 2007, awareness about health impacts of SHS and type of licensed liquor establishment. The dependent variable was the level of compliance with SFE provisions of TCA, 2007. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Measures of strength of association between the independent and dependent variables were evaluated using the Pearson’s chi-square test. Ninety-six point three percent of the licensed liquor establishments allowed smoking within their premises. Presence of ‘no smoking' sign displayed in non-designated smoking areas within the premise was found to be in (42.0% (21) restaurants, 50.0% (4) nightclubs and 57.7% (45) bars). Very few licensed liquor establishments were compliant with the SFE provisions of TCA, 2007 that require the signs to be written in both English and Swahili only 9.1% (2) of restaurants complied with no bar or nightclub complying. For the provision that penalty should be indicated in the sign, only a few (2.6% (1) bars, none in nightclubs and restaurants) establishments had met the requirement of the provision. Majority of the licensed liquor establishments had designated smoking area (66% (33) restaurants, 75% (6) nightclubs and 45.1% (42) bars). Fifty-four percent (73) of the owners and/or managers were aware of the provisions of the TCA, 2007. Employees accessed designated smoking area (80% (28) restaurants, 66.7% (4) nightclubs and 100% bars (42) while smoking was ongoing. Challenges to compliance of the TCA, 2007 were found to be the fear of losing clients, use of abusive language in the premises and lack of proper implementation of the policy. Conclusion and recommendations: The level of awareness is high but compliance with TCA, 2007 is low. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made that; owners and managers of licensed liquor establishments should attend training organized by the government to improve their understanding of TCA, 2007 and be made aware of the penalty for contravention of the provisions of the act