Govt Asked to Ban Shisha, Pouches & Vape as Experts Warn of New Trend

The Kenya Tobacco Control and Health Promotion Alliance (KETCA) has called on the government to immediately ban and remove nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, vapes, and shisha from the market until a proper legal framework is established to tightly control these products.

KETCA warned that these products are the latest tactics used by the tobacco industry to recruit children and young people, leading to lifelong addiction and profit.

“The industry markets nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and vapes to young people with enticing flavors like candy and fruit,” the press statement read.

“These young people use these nicotine products alongside traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, or as a gateway to traditional tobacco products,” the statement further read.

KETCA on World No Tobacco Day

“With approximately 9,000 Kenyans losing their lives each year to tobacco-related illnesses, the theme for this year World No Tobacco Day—Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference and Marketing”—is both timely and crucial,” said Mr. Joel Gitali, the chairman of KETCA.

According to the World Health Organization, the rate of e-cigarette use among adolescents now exceeds that of adults in many countries.

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According to a recent survey by the Tobacco Control Board, which is an independent board under the Ministry of Health, more than two-thirds (67.8%) of e-cigarette users report using them primarily because of their flavors, while nearly half (49.6%) wrongly believe e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco products.

Kenya has stringent tobacco control laws under the Tobacco Control Act and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2014. However, Mr. Gitali says that these laws have never been realized.

“The extent of tobacco industry interference in Kenya is increasing alarmingly. According to the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023, Kenya ranks 21st out of 90 countries, in terms of tobacco industry interference in health policies,” said Mr. Gitali.

Ban and Policy Recommendations

Mr. Thomas Lindi, National Coordinator of KETCA strongly advocates for the ban and policy recommendations.

“There should be a total ban on nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and all vape products in Kenya. We also call for substantial and regular increases in tobacco taxes to ensure that tobacco prices rise above inflation, as Kenyan youth are highly sensitive to price changes.” Mr. Lindi said.

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Mr. Lindi also called for a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion, sponsorship, online sales, and delivery of all new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, as well as the use of flavors in these products.

“We call on policymakers, educators, parents, and the broader community to unite in this critical fight to protect our children from the tobacco industry’s aggressive and deceptive tactics. Together, we can ensure a healthier, smoke-free future for the next generation of Kenyans,” Mr. Lindi said.

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