An Art research project exposing the misinformation that fuels Kenya’s smoking habits

Each year, 9,418 Kenyans die from tobacco-related diseases — a sharp rise from the 6,000 recorded by WHO in 2023. Despite this, most smokers in Kenya remain unaware of the cessation support, mental health resources, and tobacco harm reduction alternatives available to them. 
This is because of a dangerous information gap that has facilitated the growth of myths and misinformation, which has further divided the bridge between the Kenyan public and medical literacy.

Research links

Through the intersection of art and science, Smoke Screen translates complex healthcare data into compelling, accessible content that cuts through the noise. We are targeting young Kenyans aged 25–45 in Nairobi and Mombasa.

What We’re Building

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Media

An animated web series featuring audio from doctors, specialists, and smokers

Research

Research content on quitting and mental health resources

Data

Recorded data on the current state of medical literacy regarding tobacco smoking in Kenya

FAQs

Medical Disclaimer & Legal Notice

The information, animations, articles, and all other content provided by Smoke Screen (the “Project”) are intended solely for educational, informational, and artistic research purposes. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician, a qualified healthcare provider, or a certified smoking cessation specialist with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, nicotine addiction, or tobacco harm reduction strategies. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on anything you have viewed or read on this website or across our associated social media channels. Furthermore, all content featured in this Project is compiled from previously published, publicly available academic research, peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and third-party sources—all of which are explicitly referenced within our documentation. Smoke Screen acts exclusively as a translational and artistic medium to present this existing scientific data to the public in a more accessible format. The artistic expressions, animated narratives, and interpretative summaries presented herein are derived from this available research; however, they do not necessarily represent the personal views, specific ideologies, or official policies of the individual artists, researchers, or the organizing body behind Smoke Screen. The Project does not claim ownership of the underlying scientific data, nor does it present its creative renditions as novel medical discoveries or clinical recommendations. Reliance on any information provided by Smoke Screen is solely at your own risk.