The Rising Popularity of E-Cigarettes in Kenya and Concerns

Oct.25.2023
The Rising Popularity of E-Cigarettes in Kenya and Concerns
Kenya's e-cigarette popularity stands at 5.8%, with 53% of users from Generation Z and 44% from millennials, according to local media.

According to reports from local Kenyan media, a recent medical study has revealed that the prevalence rate of e-cigarettes in Kenya is 5.8%. Amongst the users, 53% belong to Generation Z, while 44% belong to the millennial generation. The gender ratio stands at 7:3, with male users comprising 70% and female users constituting 30%.


According to a report in the health publication "Today's Medical News," e-cigarette manufacturers claim that their products can reduce the health risks associated with tobacco. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that e-cigarettes contain varying levels of nicotine and harmful substances. If children and adolescents consume nicotine, it can have detrimental effects on brain development and potentially lead to long-term consequences such as learning and anxiety disorders.


In response, the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) and other civil society organizations in Kenya are advocating for a heavy tax on e-cigarettes, with the aim of increasing tobacco taxes to 70%, in order to deter the proliferation of e-cigarettes.


The association further proposes expanding Kenya's online transaction tracking system to include e-cigarette products, thereby minimizing illegal trade to the maximum extent.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
Product | JT to Launch MEVIUS Tropical Option in Japan, Expanding Ploom Tobacco Stick Lineup to 32
Product | JT to Launch MEVIUS Tropical Option in Japan, Expanding Ploom Tobacco Stick Lineup to 32
Japan Tobacco (JT) will launch MEVIUS Tropical Option, a new tobacco stick for Ploom, nationwide in Japan from October 6, 2026. The capsule-format product combines mango-oriented sweetness with menthol cooling, adding a tropical flavor to the MEVIUS Ploom tobacco-stick lineup for the first time. Each pack contains 20 sticks and will launch at JPY 590. The product is compatible with all Ploom devices, and its addition will expand the Ploom tobacco-stick portfolio to 32 variants.
Sep.08
Charlie’s Says 30 PACHA Vape SKUs Tentatively Identified for FDA’s Non-Priority Enforcement Public List
Charlie’s Says 30 PACHA Vape SKUs Tentatively Identified for FDA’s Non-Priority Enforcement Public List
Charlie’s Holdings said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified the company on June 23, 2026, that 30 PACHA vape SKUs with submitted PMTAs had been tentatively identified for inclusion on a planned public-facing FDA webpage. Under enforcement guidance issued by FDA in May, the webpage is intended to identify certain unauthorized products for which the agency generally does not intend to prioritize enforcement of premarket authorization requirements. Charlie’s disclosed the development alongside second-quarter revenue of $3.8 million, up 116% year over year.
Aug.25
Product | PMI Pilots bonds by IQOS and blends in Japan, Testing a New Heated Tobacco Platform
Product | PMI Pilots bonds by IQOS and blends in Japan, Testing a New Heated Tobacco Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched a regional pilot of bonds by IQOS and dedicated blends tobacco sticks in Japan, introducing a new heated tobacco platform separate from the IQOS ILUMA ecosystem. The system uses Round Heat Technology with an external heating architecture, differentiating it from IQOS ILUMA’s induction-based platform. The pilot began on July 6, 2026, across three Japanese prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki.
Jul.30
2Firsts Hosts China Market Forum at InterTabac as Global Industry Attention to China’s Tobacco Sector Deepens
2Firsts Hosts China Market Forum at InterTabac as Global Industry Attention to China’s Tobacco Sector Deepens
On September 16, 2Firsts hosted a China-focused industry forum during InterTabac in Dortmund, bringing together more than 30 participants from North America, Europe, India, South Korea and other markets. The session covered traditional tobacco, next-generation products, exports, technology, regulation and supply chains, while examining how China’s tobacco sector operates, where its transformation may be heading, and why its growing role matters increasingly to companies across the global tobacco and nicotine industry.
Sep.21
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
China-based Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Baisha Technology Co., Ltd. have filed a patent application covering an adult-user identification mechanism for heated tobacco devices. The patent proposes using flexible pressure sensors installed in the device grip area to collect pressure distribution patterns generated when users hold the device. The system evaluates factors including effective contact area, grip shape and contact duration, and combines roller movement detection to determine whether unlocking conditions are met. The filing reflects exploration of device-level user recognition and smarter interaction technologies for heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Aug.05