It is not a secret media personality Jeff Koinange is an ardent lover of Cuban cigars.

Jeff has previously admitted he smokes in the morning and in the evening. He regularly posts images on social media smoking while “chilling and in deep thought.”

He recently posted a similar image on social media. Lakini, he might be in trouble!

Anti-tobacco campaigners are having it no more. They are now threatening to mount a campaign against Jeff who they accuse of promoting a dangerous habit.

With cigarette advertising already banned in Kenya, manufacturers often use celebrity endorsements to drum up enthusiasm for their products and hook teenagers.

“Jeff must not be allowed to erode the behaviour of young Kenyans who look at him as a father, a grandfather a role model. Many young people admire him as an accomplished & experienced professional journalist to emulate. He should not take that advantage to promote diseases, disabilities, death and poverty. Tobacco use should remain his private affair. Even if an adult lured him into it when he was still young and got hooked, he should not harbour that revenge feelings and destroy the youth. We must tell him a big NO!” said Joel Gitali, the chairman of the Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA).

Antony Muthemba, a Nairobi City Public Health officer, said such endorsement is dangerous and must be stopped.

Muthemba said in 2013 they stopped cigar tasting events at Kempinski Hotel and is shocked by celebrities using social media to promote smoking.

“What,,,,this Is so disgusting for real,” said Prince Joe, an anti-smoking campaigner with KETCA.

“Can somebody tweet to Jeff and inform him that he should be promoting good health to his funs, and not poison,” posted Peter Ngari, an anti-smoking campaigner.

bebbybebby055A hole role model? So we should smoke too?

mosetyi: koinangejeff #Miguna would have killed your followers here. They need more grammar classes than #Cohiba lessons.

abedi_wuodnyaseme: So you smoke weed

trench73: Is this what you mean when you say it’s smooooking, oh my 😂😂😂

sk_kitiyia Said 'That's a true potrait of kenyan socialites..not good for role models.'

franc_bunsen: Are u proud of this Jeff!!? Sure?

d_biggie254: Don’t think people who are considered “role models” should be promoting social vices.Thats my opinion but what do I know....

carolmaritimI: I used to admire jeff as my role model but no more forever again.

aggieshee: Huyu ndiye slay king ama?

alphonse_maseka said 'F*ck them fire extinguishers already, now this is Real Smmooookkkiing!!!'

walimbwatitus: Boss and the way I had respect for you this is not a good example

Well...

Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of cancer. It is also linked to more than 10 non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Kenya banned all forms of tobacco advertising in 2007 to prevent the high number of Kenyans dying from lung cancer and other NCDs.

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