By Cyprian M Mostert et al.
Since Kenya joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2004 and enacted the Tobacco Control Act three years later, efforts to curb tobacco-related health issues have been ongoing. However, challenges persist, particularly in controlling cigarette consumption among young Kenyans.
Despite efforts, a 2007 survey revealed that 1 in 10 students aged 13-15 were smokers, with boys twice as likely as girls to use tobacco. Shockingly, subsequent studies show little improvement, with recent data indicating rising e-cigarette and nicotine pouch use among young people.
Decentralization of the Tobacco Control Act in 2010, across Kenya's 47 counties, has led to varied implementation effectiveness. This fragmentation allows the tobacco industry to exploit weaker governance in certain regions, targeting young consumers.
Currently, Kenya's cigarette tax, constituting only a third of retail prices, falls far short of WHO recommendations for effective tobacco control. The industry's lobbying efforts, including a two-tier tax system introduced in 2017, further undermine public health goals by making cheaper cigarettes more accessible.
Emerging products like oral nicotine pouches pose new challenges. Marketed as safer alternatives, these products lack independent verification of their claims and risk becoming a gateway to nicotine addiction among youth.
