Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege has initiated a new move to ban of the use of Nicotine pouches known as Velo in Kenya.
Speaking during the National Assembly proceedings on Wednesday, October 4, the MP charged Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha to explain the implications of using Velo.
Further, Chege demanded an explanation from the Health CS Susan Nakhumicha on how Velo was used, and the regulations put in place by the government to the abuse of the pouch in Kenya.
To help MPs understand the product, the former Women Representative also brought a sample of Velo in the house.
“Could the CS outline the pharmaceutical composition of Velo, a nicotine drug packaged in pouches, including the addictive nature and side effects of the said drug.
“Also, could she as well outline the regulatory mechanism that the ministry has put in place to restrict its access and sale of velo to minors,” Sabina Chege questioned.
Other Concerns Raised by Sabina Chege About Velo
At the same time, the nominated MP asked for clarification on whether the drug was a rebranded version of Lyft, a drug that was banned in Kenya in 2020 because it failed to meet certain requirements.
She also requested an explanation on whether the manufacturers and distributors of the drug were licensed to do so in Kenya.
“Kindly clarify if the Velo drug has sneaked back into the market as a rebrand of Lyft, a similar drug which was banned in 2020 by the ministry of health for not meeting section 23 of the pharmacy and poisons Act.
Also Read: Tax On Vaping Devices Increased to Make Them Less Accessible to Children
“Explain whether the said drug is locally manufactured in Kenya, by who and if not, provide details of the licensed distributors in the country including whether the manufacturers or distribution in Kenya is legal,” added Chege.
CS Nakhumicha Responds to Concerns about Velo
In response to the questions CS Nakhumicha explained that Velo was a tobacco product that was introduced as the country continued to tighten regulations on smoking.
“Velo, which is a brand name for BAT nicotine pouches is a non-pharmaceutical substance, but a nicotine derived substance composed of nicotine derived from tobacco leaves.
“The chemical profile of the contents of velo are many including a bulking agent, sodium chloride, flavor, a Geline agent, a sweetener, nicotine and sodium bicarbonate,” stated the CS.
Also Read: Health Stakeholders Launch Sensitization Campaign Against Tobacco Use
Moreover, she noted that users of velo can potentially consume 90 percent of tobacco because they are taken orally, adding that the contents of velo are like any other nicotine products like cigarettes.
“The nicotine content of velo can be as high as the content of other nicotine products such as cigarettes and traditional smokeless tobacco. Users can consume up to 90 percent of nicotine given that they are taken orally,” added Nakhumicha.
Other Properties of Velo and Regulations
The CS stated that the product had 10 different flavors and additives which suppressed the smell of tobacco and made it attractive and acceptable to users.
“Some of these products many contain heavy metals which may be toxic. The regulations that banned Lyft excludes nicotine that occurs naturally in tobacco. Therefore, velo is regulated as a tobacco product.
“The sale of tobacco by vending machine or to minors is prohibited by law. Offering tobacco products for free is also prohibited. Sponsorship associated with young people is also prohibited,” she added.
Further Nakhumicha also noted that it was prohibited to advertise tobacco products in a manner to influence young people or using misleading packaging.
At the same time, the CS confirmed that velo was sneaked back to the market as a rebrand of Lyft which was recalled off the Kenyan market.
