The Senate Health Committee has commenced steps to amend the outdated Tobacco Control Act in response to increasing smoking rates in Kenya.
The number of Kenyans who smoke is expected to rise to 3.61 million by 2029, up from 3.1 million in 2022, according to data from Consumer Insights and Statista.
The Central region of Kenya currently has the highest percentage of smokers at 11.9%, followed closely by the Coast and Eastern regions, which have smoking rates of 10.8% and 10.7% respectively.
A 2023 survey by Statista Consumer Insights, which involved over 1,000 respondents, showed that smokers in Kenya tend to have higher household incomes compared to the average consumer.
The study also found that cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product, followed by vaporisers, e-cigarettes, and cigars.
Efforts to curb smoking, especially among young people, have been unsuccessful, with smoking rates rising, particularly in universities and colleges.
According to a 2022 Kenya Tobacco Board study, 30% of young people in higher learning institutions use tobacco products.
Tobacco smoking remains a major health concern, contributing to over 9,000 deaths each year in Kenya and causing severe health problems such as lung disease, cancer, heart complications, and more.
The growing use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, especially among school children, has added to the problem.
In response, Senator Catherine Mumma has tabled a motion to amend the Tobacco Control Act, which was originally enacted in 2007 and last updated in 2009.
She explained that the Act does not cover new tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches, which have become more common in recent years.
The proposed amendments aim to regulate electronic nicotine products, prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to individuals under 18, and require prior approval from the Cabinet Secretary for Health before any nicotine products can be manufactured, imported, or sold.
The new law will also place restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products and electronic nicotine systems, ensuring tighter controls on their distribution and use.