Kenya Parliament Considers Strict Regulations on E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pods

According to a report by Vaping360 on August 22, a bill proposed by the Kenyan parliament would impose strict restrictions on e-cigarette products and nicotine pouches. The Kenyan Senate will accept public feedback on the bill until August 26.

Senate Bill No. 35 has received support from the Kenyan tobacco control and public health groups.

If the bill is passed, it will amend the country's Tobacco Control Act to include e-cigarettes under existing smoking restrictions, including limitations on advertising and public use, as well as a ban on all online sales and advertising.

The bill will also prohibit the production, import, and sale of any products without prior approval from the Minister of Health, and give the Minister of Finance broad powers to tax and regulate the prices of nicotine products. Violators of the new law will face hefty fines and up to three years in prison.

The amendment introduces several new restrictions on e-cigarette products: products with distinctive flavors are banned; the nicotine concentration in e-liquid must not exceed 10 milligrams per milliliter (1%); the capacity of bottled e-liquid containers must not exceed 10 milliliters; disposable e-cigarettes, refillable tanks, and refillable pods and cartridges must not exceed 2 milliliters; all e-cigarettes and their refillable containers must be "child-resistant and tamper-evident," and must have a "leak-proof refilling mechanism.

Additionally, if the bill is passed, nicotine pouches must not contain distinctive flavors, the nicotine content of each pouch must not exceed 10 milligrams, and they must come with removable health warning labels. Nicotine pouch containers must be "child-resistant and tamper-evident, and capable of being used without spilling contents.

If the bill is passed, it will give the Minister of Health the power to prohibit any products that do not comply with the law. The Minister of Health will be required to publish a list of approved and banned products, as well as a list of authorized manufacturers and importers.

The bill passed its first reading in the Senate on August 6. It is now being reviewed by the Senate Health Committee, which must submit a report to the Senate by September 6. It is expected that the House of Representatives will also have a related bill.

The public can submit their opinions on the bill before 5 p.m. on August 26th.