Support for Kenya's Proposal to Ban E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches

According to a report by the Kenya Star on December 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed support for Kenya's proposal to ban e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, stating that there is "warning evidence" about the detrimental health effects of these products.

In September 2022, Senator Catherine Mumma proposed a motion to ban or tightly regulate e-cigarettes and other new nicotine delivery products. Other senators expressed their support for the motion, highlighting the growing use of e-cigarettes among minors and students, as well as the widespread abuse of nicotine, which they believe poses a threat to society. Despite the proven harms associated with these products, they are openly displayed in Kenyan stores and heavily promoted on social media platforms.

On Thursday (December 14th), the World Health Organization refuted claims made by supporters of nicotine products that these products can help traditional cigarette smokers quit smoking.

The World Health Organization stated in a declaration:

Urgent action is needed to control e-cigarettes in order to protect children and non-smokers, as well as minimize potential health risks to the population. From a societal perspective, e-cigarettes, as consumer products, have not demonstrated effective help in smoking cessation. On the contrary, there is emerging warning evidence of adverse effects on public health associated with e-cigarettes.

The organization also released a technical document, calling for global action on e-cigarettes. Currently, e-cigarette sales are prohibited in 34 countries, with 88 countries lacking regulations on the minimum age for purchasing these products. Shockingly, 74 countries have failed to implement any regulations on these harmful products.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed concerns about the recruitment and entrapment of children using e-cigarettes, which could lead to nicotine addiction. He urges countries to implement strict measures to prevent the spread of e-cigarette use in order to protect citizens, particularly children and young people.

The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (Ketca) also supports the ban on these products. Ketca is a national network of civil society dedicated to promoting health, and its chairman, Joel Gitali, says, "We have evidence that tobacco industry and other nicotine product distributors are targeting primary school children through targeted advertisements, and we need a comprehensive ban on these products.

The Kenyan Senate is currently awaiting a legislative proposal to regulate electronic vaporizers and other nicotine delivery products.