Why groups are pressing Kenya to ban nicotine, shisha products

Two in every three youths who abuse e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches say they began using them primarily because of their fruit flavours.

Most of these products are marketed in different flavours such as strawberry, vanilla and orange.

However, they have no benefit to the body but have been linked to different cancers, addiction and miscarriage.

The figures are from a recent survey by the Tobacco Control Board, which is an independent board under the Ministry of Health.

It said more than two-thirds (67.8 per cent) of e-cigarette users report using them primarily because of their flavours, while nearly half (49.6 per cent) wrongly believe e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco products.

The government is seeking ways to control these products, which are seen as a gateway to the use of tobacco and hard drugs.

In response, civil societies groups demanded the government to immediately ban and remove from the market nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, vapes and shisha until the country has a proper legal framework to control them.

“This crisis underscores the urgent need to protect Kenyan children and youth from the aggressive tactics of the tobacco industry,” Joel Gitali, the chairman of the Kenya Tobacco Control And Health Promotion Alliance, said. 

Ketca is the umbrella agency for all organisations involved in tobacco control in the country.

He said these products are the newest snares that the tobacco industry is using to recruit children and young people, then profit off their addiction for life.

Data from the Tobacco and Drugs Survey of Adolescents in Schools 2022 conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, showed that 3.2 per cent of youths (15-24 years) currently use tobacco products. A higher figure (3.4 per cent), said they had ever used e-cigarettes.

“Once they get addicted, these youths represent a lifetime of profits to the industry, which is aggressively recruiting more,” Gitali said. 

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

This fact is contained in the WHO’s report, 'Hooking the next generation', which was launched on Friday.

“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,” Gitali said.

The World No Tobacco Day is marked on May 31 every year.

Kenya has stringent tobacco control laws under the Tobacco Control Act and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2014.

“However, the full implementation of these laws has never been realised. Indeed 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,” Gitali said. 

He accused the tobacco industry of flouting the law by continuing corporate social responsibility activities.

One tobacco company is currently collaborating with the National Industrial Training Authority, Kenyatta University and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology.

Ketca national coordinator Thomas Linidi said CSR activities are a clear attempt to build a favourable image among the youth and educational institutions.

“In light of these concerning trends, Ketca strongly advocates for several policy recommendations. Firstly, there should be a total ban on nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and all vape products in Kenya," he said. 

"We also call for substantial and regular increase in tobacco taxes to ensure that tobacco prices rise above inflation, as Kenyan youth are highly sensitive to price changes.” 

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

Lastly, larger graphic health warnings on all tobacco and related nicotine products are necessary to deter youth from initiating use.

“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,” he said.