Tobacco use kills about 9,000 Kenyans every year.As world
leaders gather in Geneva for the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) and
the Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control (FCTC), Kenya has an opportunity to reaffirm its position as a
regional leader in tobacco control.
The global tobacco treaty, which came into
force in 2005 and is now ratified by 183 Parties, has helped reduce tobacco use
worldwide. Kenya joined the treaty in June 2004, committing itself to
protecting citizens from addiction, disease, and premature death.
Over the
years, Kenya has made progress in several areas. One notable achievement is the
support provided to farmers transitioning from tobacco growing to healthier and
more sustainable livelihoods. Through the Tobacco-Free Farms Initiative,
supported by WHO, WFP, FAO, and the government, farmers in Migori and other
counties have shifted to alternative crops such as high-iron beans. These crops
offer better income stability and reduce farmers’ exposure to harmful
pesticides and nicotine. The shift has contributed to a gradual decline in land
under tobacco cultivation, reflecting a meaningful economic and public-health
transition.
Kenya has
also strengthened its consumer protection measures. In 2025, the government
introduced new graphic health warnings for e-cigarettes, heated tobacco
products, and nicotine pouches. These vivid warnings are designed to inform the
public about the dangers of addiction and the long-term health risks associated
with emerging nicotine products. The updated warnings recognise the rapid rise
in novel products that appeal to young people and often enter the market
without sufficient oversight.
Despite
this progress, Kenya’s tobacco control framework faces growing challenges. The
Tobacco Control Act, enacted in 2007, is now outdated and under review. The
current review process offers a vital opportunity to modernise the law and
better regulate new nicotine products. The tobacco law reform must prioritise
bold measures that close the gaps exploited by the industry, including
abolishing designated smoking zones that undermine smoke-free protections and
continue to expose children, women, and workers to dangerous second-hand smoke.
Equally
essential is the ban on flavoured nicotine products that lure young people, the
tightening of advertising and online sales rules, and the introduction of
enforceable limits on nicotine content in vapes and nicotine pouches. These
reforms, combined with clear pathways for higher taxation on all tobacco and
nicotine products, would significantly reduce youth exposure, curb early
addiction, and strengthen health financing while advancing Kenya’s commitment
to safeguarding public health.
Kenya’s tobacco law reform must prioritise bold measures that close
the gaps exploited by the industry, including abolishing designated smoking
zones that undermine smoke-free protections and continue to expose children,
women, and workers to dangerous second-hand smoke. Equally essential is the ban
on flavoured nicotine products that lure young people, the tightening of
advertising and online sales rules, and the introduction of enforceable limits
on nicotine content in vapes and nicotine pouches. These reforms, combined with
clear pathways for higher taxation on all tobacco and nicotine products, would
significantly reduce youth exposure, curb early addiction, and strengthen
health financing while advancing Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding public
health.
The rise
in the use of new nicotine products among young people is a pressing concern.
Recent surveys show that more adolescents are experimenting with vapes,
nicotine pouches, and other smokeless products. Some children as young as five
have been reported attempting to use smokeless tobacco. Easy access through
online platforms and home deliveries has further complicated enforcement
efforts. Stronger regulation, including banning flavoured products that target
youth, is urgently needed.
Another
challenge is the persistent interference of the tobacco and nicotine industry
in public-health decision-making. Over the years, industry actors have
attempted to influence COP discussions, lobby government officials, and market
e-cigarettes as “harm reduction” tools. Although framed as safer alternatives,
these products often contain high levels of nicotine and pose significant risks
of long-term addiction. The WHO continues to warn governments to remain vigilant
and safeguard policymaking from commercial interests.
Kenya can
draw inspiration from countries that have taken bold steps to protect future
generations. The Maldives recently enacted a generational tobacco ban,
prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco for anyone born on or after 1 January
2007. It has also maintained a strict ban on e-cigarettes. This example shows
that strong political will can pave the way for transformative public-health
reforms.
As COP11
and MOP4 take place, Kenya stands at a crossroads. The country can choose to
build on its achievements by updating its laws, strengthening enforcement, and
closing regulatory gaps. By doing so, Kenya can better protect young people,
reduce the health and economic burden of nicotine addiction, and demonstrate
leadership on the African continent. With firm commitment from Parliament and
the Ministry of Health, Kenya can secure a healthier future and move closer to
a generation free from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Lindi is the Coordinator, the Kenya Tobacco Control and Health
Promotion Alliance