Kenya’s State Department for Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has revealed alarming statistics showing that over 100,000 children between the ages of 10 and 17 are currently using vaping products. She also noted a worrying rise in tobacco use among women in the country.
PS Muthoni defended the government’s recent decision to suspend all licenses for the manufacture, importation, sale, and promotion of nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and flavoured tobacco. The suspension aims to curb the growing use of these products, especially among youth.
“The market had become so infiltrated, we didn’t know what we were dealing with,” Muthoni said, highlighting the challenges regulators face in controlling the spread of nicotine products.
Rising Youth Vaping and Tobacco Use Among Women
Recent surveys indicate that tobacco use remains a significant public health issue in Kenya. While traditionally more men have smoked, data shows an increasing number of women are now taking up smoking, raising concerns about long-term health consequences.
The surge in vaping among children and adolescents is particularly troubling. Vaping products, often flavoured and marketed aggressively, appeal to young people and risk creating a new generation addicted to nicotine.
Government’s Regulatory Actions
In response, the Ministry of Health has taken decisive steps to regulate the nicotine market. Since 2021, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Customs has impounded large quantities of flavoured tobacco and nicotine products. The recent suspension of all nicotine product licenses requires importers, manufacturers, distributors, and marketers to halt operations and reapply under stricter guidelines.
Kenya has also pioneered the introduction of graphic health warnings on all new nicotine products, including vapes and nicotine pouches, making it the first African country to do so. These warnings feature vivid imagery designed to deter youth from starting nicotine use.
Public Health and Industry Challenges
The tobacco and nicotine industry has pushed back against regulatory measures, arguing that some products like nicotine pouches are “harm reduction” tools for adult smokers. However, public health experts caution that the science on these products’ safety remains inconclusive, and their popularity among youth threatens to reverse gains made in tobacco control.
The government’s actions align with global calls, including from the World Health Organization, to ban flavoured tobacco products and intensify efforts to protect young people from nicotine addiction.
Looking Ahead
PS Muthoni emphasized the need for continued vigilance and community engagement to combat the tobacco epidemic. “Our future generations’ health depends on our ability to expose and counter the tobacco industry’s predatory strategies,” she said.
Kenya’s tough stance on nicotine products reflects a broader commitment to reducing tobacco-related diseases, which currently claim thousands of lives annually in the country. The government urges all stakeholders to support these efforts to safeguard public health.
Key Facts:
- Over 100,000 Kenyan children aged 10-17 vape nicotine products.
- Tobacco use among women is rising.
- The Ministry of Health has suspended all nicotine product licenses pending stricter regulation.
- Kenya has mandated graphic health warnings on all new nicotine and tobacco products.
- The government continues to combat illicit tobacco trade and industry interference.
This decisive regulatory approach positions Kenya as a leader in tobacco control in Africa, prioritizing public health and youth protection amid evolving challenges posed by new nicotine products.
