Tanzania Plans to Ban Shisha and E-Cigarettes.

Jun.25.2023
Tanzania Plans to Ban Shisha and E-Cigarettes.
Tanzania's Zanzibar plans to ban the import and consumption of shisha and e-cigarettes, posing a potential loss in revenue.

According to the Citizen newspaper in Tanzania, authorities in Zanzibar are planning to prohibit the import and consumption of shisha and e-cigarettes. However, shisha is very popular in tourist destinations and restaurants, and the ban could result in significant revenue losses.


The Minister of the Office of the President, Regional Management Agencies, and Local Government Departments in Zanzibar, Masoud Ali Mohammed, announced in a public statement that the government will soon issue a special directive.


The consumption of hookah and e-cigarettes has become commonplace, and we will be implementing specific regulations to govern those individuals who have obtained special import and sales permits for hookah or e-cigarettes.


This ban will also affect current importers, who are advised not to make any further purchases and instead to contact the authorities for new instructions.


The minister stated that importers will be required to cease ordering additional products once existing inventory is depleted, in compliance with a new law that the government is soon to enact.


According to a hotel operator in Zanzibar, shisha is very popular in tourist resorts and restaurants, and a ban could result in significant revenue loss.


This is not Tanzania's first implementation of a ban. Paul Makonda, the administrative commissioner of Dar es Salaam, previously issued a ban on hookah smoking throughout the city.


As of April 2021, around 500 shisha containers were still stranded at the port of Dar es Salaam. However, the ban was later lifted and now shisha has made a comeback in most bars in Tanzania.


Reference: [1] Zanzibar plans to prohibit the use of Shisha and E-cigarettes.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

As JUUL2 Wins FDA Authorization, Harm Reduction Journal Highlights the Role of Real-World Evidence in Nicotine Product Regulation
As JUUL2 Wins FDA Authorization, Harm Reduction Journal Highlights the Role of Real-World Evidence in Nicotine Product Regulation
A commentary published in the international open-access, peer-reviewed Harm Reduction Journal argues that randomized controlled trials remain central to evaluating smoking cessation efficacy but cannot alone capture real-world uptake, complete switching, longer-term use and population impact of non-combustible nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. The authors frame impact as “reach × efficacy” and call for real-world evidence to complement RCTs. Three days after publication, the FDA authorized three JUUL2 products and highlighted complete switching among adult smokers in explaining its decision, providing a timely regulatory backdrop to the debate.
Sep.08
Canada Health Minister Says She Is Not Considering Looser Nicotine Pouch Retail Rules as PMI-Linked Group Pushes for Wider Access
Canada Health Minister Says She Is Not Considering Looser Nicotine Pouch Retail Rules as PMI-Linked Group Pushes for Wider Access
Canadian Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she is not considering loosening retail restrictions on nicotine pouches. Canada regulates pouches containing 4 mg or less of nicotine per unit as non-prescription nicotine replacement therapy and requires newer NRT formats such as pouches to be sold from behind pharmacy counters. Meanwhile, Unsmoke Canada, linked to Philip Morris International's Canadian business, is pushing to allow pouches in convenience stores and other general retail outlets. Health Canada also acknowledges continued unauthorized sales, while recent research shows rising pouch use among Canadian youth aged 16 to 19.
Sep.24
Germany's Four-Year Tobacco Tax Plan Heads to Parliament as BAT, JTI and PMI Push for Changes
Germany's Four-Year Tobacco Tax Plan Heads to Parliament as BAT, JTI and PMI Push for Changes
Germany's parliament is scheduled to hold a first reading of amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act on September 24. The government plans annual tax increases from 2027 through 2030 covering cigarettes, heated tobacco, vaping liquids and other categories. It expects the reform to generate €756 million in additional revenue in 2027, rising to €3.589 billion in additional annual revenue by 2030. Ahead of the parliamentary debate, the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products, or BVTE, launched the "Tabaksteuer mit Augenmaß" campaign backed by BAT, JTI, Philip Morris, Reemtsma and wholesale and retail groups.
Sep.23
Product | JT Launches Three Autumn-Limited Ploom Tobacco Sticks in Japan Across EVO, MEVIUS and CAMEL Brands
Product | JT Launches Three Autumn-Limited Ploom Tobacco Sticks in Japan Across EVO, MEVIUS and CAMEL Brands
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) launched three limited-edition autumn tobacco sticks for its Ploom heated tobacco devices in Japan on October 16, 2026, under the EVO, MEVIUS and CAMEL brands. All three are regular tobacco variants with seasonal packaging. Each pack contains 20 sticks, priced at ¥620, ¥590 and ¥570, respectively, including tax. The products are compatible with all Ploom devices and are sold in limited quantities exclusively through the CLUB JT online store while supplies last.
product
Oct.20
PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%
PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%
Philip Morris International (PMI) showcased IQOS heated tobacco systems and nicotine pouch products at Technovation 2026 in Buenos Aires on October 7–8, presenting research on consumer attitudes, regulatory developments and illicit cigarette trade across Latin America. PMI Chief Global Growth Officer Stefano Volpetti said smoke-free products accounted for more than 7% of the Mexico City market. Argentina repealed its heated tobacco ban in May 2026 and introduced registration requirements for tobacco and nicotine products, while local media reported nicotine pouch sales in Mendoza. A PMI-commissioned survey found that only 8% of respondents across four Latin American countries were familiar with nicotine pouches. A separate KPMG study estimated illicit cigarette consumption at 77 billion sticks across 11 markets in Latin America and Canada in 2025.
PMI
Oct.13
Product | PMI Launches TEREA Black Mint Pearl in Japan, Adding First Capsule Variant to Black Range With Nationwide Rollout From October 19
Product | PMI Launches TEREA Black Mint Pearl in Japan, Adding First Capsule Variant to Black Range With Nationwide Rollout From October 19
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched TEREA Black Mint Pearl on October 15, 2026, introducing the first capsule-equipped heated tobacco stick in the TEREA Black range for IQOS ILUMA devices. The product combines a strong menthol profile with a crushable mint capsule and is priced at ¥640 per 20-stick pack, including tax. Sales began at four IQOS stores and selected retail partners on October 15, with distribution expanding to convenience stores and other tobacco retailers nationwide from October 19. The launch brings Japan's TEREA portfolio to 28 variants, including 21 menthol-related products, or 75% of the range.
product
Oct.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives