smoke-screen.org

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

Our Mission

Our mission is to bridge the gap between complex tobacco research and everyday understanding. Through Smoke Screen—a social media-focused art research project—we’re meeting Kenyans where they are, particularly young adults aged 25–45 in Nairobi and Mombasa. Our goal is twofold: first, to measure what people actually know (and misunderstand) about nicotine addiction and harm reduction; second, to translate dense medical data into clear, creative, and shareable content that cuts through misinformation. We believe that by using art and science together, we can create memorable moments that challenge deeply held myths, spark conversations, and ultimately empower people to make informed choices about their health. Because when knowledge is locked in research papers or clinic walls, it can’t save lives—but when it’s put in front of the public, it just might.

REACH US

We’re running this quick survey to get a better sense of what people in Nairobi and Mombasa know about nicotine addiction and tobacco harm reduction. Your input will help us shape educational content that cuts through misinformation—and hopefully, saves lives along the way. Just to be clear: this is for educational and creative purposes only, not a medical consultation. Participation is totally voluntary and anonymous.

It’ll take about 5–7 minutes to finish

Click to participate

What We’re Building

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

This project is supported by the KAC Scholarship Programme 2026 through the Tobacco Harm Reduction scholarship programme. Funding for the Programme has been provided via a grant from the Global Action to End Smoking. Click below for more FAQs.

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.

Disclaimer: Smoke Screen content is for educational and artistic purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for cessation guidance. All material is derived from publicly available research and does not represent the personal views of the Project or its contributors. This project exists solely for knowledge sharing and educational purposes