Farmers in Kenya have demanded that the government should force tobacco companies to give them protective clothing since they risked contracting lung and skin diseases. The lack of aprons, nose-masks and gloves puts the farmers at a health risk.

Some tobacco companies are mobilising against possible regulation, while others are amenable to it. Tobacco company Alliance One's managing director Graham Kayes said the materials were necessary though expensive and they would provide them to growers on a credit basis. British American Tobacco company also said it would provide its contracted farmers with the outfit.