Shisha use is still widespread in Nairobi and elsewhere, according to the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada).
Kenya banned shisha in December 2017 following Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The Nacada policy on shisha is confused and needs to become more consistent.
A shisha or water-pipe provides cooler tobacco smoke which is the World Health Organisation says can result in higher consumption of nicotine.
However Nacada argues that shisha should be removed from all bars because the tobacco is often laced with heroin, marijuana, or cocaine without the knowledge of the user. This is unlikely as it would be an extra cost to the bar. More likely, if this happens, it is with the consent of the smoker.
A much greater health risk is the increasing popularity of 'vapes' or e-cigarettes. These are increasingly popular and openly sold in shops in Kenya. Yet vaping is at least as damaging to the lungs as smoking cigarettes. Why is smoking tobacco treated more harshly than vaping?
So if Nacada plans to crack down on the continuing use of shisha, let it also crack down on the widespread use of vapes.
Quote of the day: "I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people."
Isaac Newton
The English scientist published Principia Mathematica on July 5, 1687