Kenya Tobacco and Nicotine Tax Coalition Urges Parliament to Fast-Track Tobacco Control Amendment Bill to Protect Youth from Vapes and Nicotine Products

By Gedion Nzyoki -

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 12, 2026 — The Kenya Tobacco and Nicotine Tax Coalition (KTNTC) has called on Parliament to urgently pass the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, warning that delays could expose more children and young people to addictive nicotine products such as vapes and nicotine pouches.

Officials of the Kenya Tobacco and Nicotine Tax Coalition (KTNTC) during a press briefing on Friday. Photo: Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (X).

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday morning at the iconic Best Western Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi, the Kenya Tobacco and Nicotine Tax Coalition, led by Thomas Lindi, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tobacco Control and Health Promotion Alliance, alongside Omondi Eric of the Students' Campaign Against Drugs, Prisca Githuka, Vice Chairperson of the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations, Harrison Mwakio, Programmes Officer at the NCD Alliance of Kenya, Celine Awor, Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), Patrick Nyangweso, Chief Executive Officer of the National Taxpayers Association Kenya, and David Odhiambo, Chairperson of Den of Hope Organization, urged the National Assembly to retain the Bill's key public health protections, reject attempts to weaken its provisions, and expedite the legislative process to ensure its swift enactment.

"We, the Kenya Tobacco and Nicotine Tax Coalition, have convened today to express our strong support for the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 35 of 2024) and to call upon the National Assembly to retain the strong regulatory measures proposed in the Bill, adopt recommendations from tobacco control stakeholders for enhancing the Bill, and urgently conclude the public participation process and forward the Bill to the Senate for final consideration and passage," Lindi said.

The coalition argued that Kenya's tobacco control laws have failed to keep pace with the rapid emergence of new nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other alternatives that are increasingly being marketed through attractive flavours, colourful packaging, and sleek designs that appeal to young people.

KTNTC said the proposed legislation seeks to close regulatory loopholes by bringing emerging nicotine products under stricter oversight, restricting flavours that attract young users, strengthening health warnings, and introducing additional safeguards for children and youth.

The coalition cited the recent case involving a student at Moi High School Kabarak who was reportedly found in possession of a vape, describing the incident as evidence that nicotine products are increasingly finding their way into learning institutions.

According to the coalition, the case should serve as a warning to parents, teachers, policymakers, and communities that no school or family is immune to the growing presence of nicotine products among young people.

"If these products have already found their way into our schools, then no school, no community, and no family should assume they are immune," the coalition stated.

Children Starting Nicotine Use at Alarmingly Young Ages

The Coalition also expressed concern over findings from recent surveys indicating that some Kenyan children are being exposed to tobacco and nicotine products at extremely young ages.

The coalition cited data from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), which found that the minimum reported age of initiation for tobacco and nicotine use in Kenya is six years.

It further referenced the 2024 Kenya Data on Youth and Tobacco (DaYTA) report, which found that initiation begins as early as five years for some smokeless tobacco products and six years for cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and shisha.

The coalition warned that exposure to nicotine at such a young age poses significant risks to brain development, learning, attention, impulse control, and mental health.

Public Health and Economic Costs

The coalition maintained that tobacco use continues to impose a heavy burden on Kenya's healthcare system and economy.

According to KTNTC, tobacco-related illnesses claim approximately 12,000 lives annually in Kenya.

The group also cited a 2022 study involving 2,000 Kenyan patients receiving treatment for chronic diseases, which found that nearly half had a history of tobacco use.

Beyond the health consequences, the coalition argued that tobacco consumption carries substantial economic costs, noting that Kenya loses between US$2.20 and US$3.00 in healthcare expenditure and lost productivity for every US$1 generated by the tobacco industry.

Debate Over Emerging Nicotine Products

The coalition dismissed arguments that emerging nicotine products should receive lighter regulation because they are marketed as harm-reduction tools.

It argued that flavoured vapes and nicotine pouches are increasingly attracting young people who have never smoked conventional cigarettes, thereby creating new nicotine users rather than helping existing smokers quit.

KTNTC cited survey data showing that only two per cent of adult male smokers use e-cigarettes, compared to 5.8 per cent of university students.

The coalition also pointed to warnings from the World Health Organization that young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to transition to conventional cigarette smoking.

Key Provisions of the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024

The Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes several new measures aimed at strengthening regulation of tobacco and nicotine products.

Among the proposals are the regulation of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches under the Tobacco Control Act, restrictions on flavours that appeal to children, child-resistant packaging requirements, limits on nicotine concentrations, and a ban on disposable e-cigarettes.

The Bill also seeks to increase health warning coverage from 30 per cent to 75 per cent of product packaging, extend pictorial health warnings to all nicotine products, and prohibit sales within 100 metres of facilities primarily serving children.

KTNTC noted that similar regulations have already been adopted in many countries worldwide, while several African nations, including Ethiopia, Gambia, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Uganda, have banned e-cigarettes altogether.

Call for Swift Parliamentary Action

The coalition urged the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Health and all Members of Parliament to support the Bill and ensure its progression through all legislative stages without unnecessary delays.

It warned that postponing the legislation would only benefit the tobacco and nicotine industry while increasing risks to public health.

"Every day that this Bill is delayed is another day the tobacco and nicotine industry has to recruit a new generation of users," the coalition said.

The coalition concluded by urging lawmakers to prioritize the health and well-being of future generations by passing the legislation in its strongest form.

"The health of our children and youth cannot wait. The protection of future generations cannot wait. Parliament must act, and act swiftly," David Odhiambo said.

With this call, all eyes now turn to parliamentarians to see whether they will act decisively to advance the legislation and strengthen protections against the growing threat of tobacco and nicotine products among young people.