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

Trump Picks White House Health Policy Aide Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Pending Senate Confirmation
Trump Picks White House Health Policy Aide Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Pending Senate Confirmation
U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen White House health policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Overton currently works on health policy at the White House and previously held a senior role at the America First Policy Institute. If confirmed by the Senate, she would take over an FDA that has experienced months of senior-level turnover. The agency regulates products representing roughly one-fifth of U.S. consumer spending, including e-cigarettes, drugs, vaccines and much of the food supply.
News
Aug.19
Reemtsma says German illegal e-cigarette seizures reached 70% of 2025 total, pouches 179%
Reemtsma says German illegal e-cigarette seizures reached 70% of 2025 total, pouches 179%
Reemtsma said its first-half 2026 black-market tracker for tobacco and nicotine products showed a continued rise in officially reported seizures in Germany, with illegal e-cigarette seizures reaching 70% of the full-year 2025 level and snus and nicotine pouch seizures reaching 179% of last year’s total.
Jul.08
Product | KT&G Brings LOOP Nicotine Pouches to South Africa, Supporting ASF’s Expansion Across Africa
Product | KT&G Brings LOOP Nicotine Pouches to South Africa, Supporting ASF’s Expansion Across Africa
KT&G has introduced nicotine pouch brand LOOP in South Africa, expanding its modern oral nicotine portfolio. Developed by Swedish company Another Snus Factory (ASF), LOOP is a tobacco-free nicotine pouch brand. KT&G and U.S. tobacco company Altria previously participated in ASF’s strategic development, and the South Africa launch represents a further step in LOOP’s international expansion.
Aug.06
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
Product | OXVA Launches ONEO Pro in France, Upgrading Its Open-Pod Platform
Product | OXVA Launches ONEO Pro in France, Upgrading Its Open-Pod Platform
Vape brand OXVA has introduced the ONEO Pro, a refillable open-pod system that entered the French market in July 2026. The device features a 2,100mAh battery, up to 40W output, a 4ml refillable cartridge, multiple coil options and a 0.96-inch color TFT display. The launch reflects continued performance upgrades within the refillable open-pod segment, with brands adding higher capacity, adjustable output and smarter device interaction.
Aug.03
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
AIR’s first half-year results as a listed company offer a new test of how far a traditional hookah business can transform. H1 2026 revenue rose 3.7%, even as Flavored Shisha Molasses shipments fell 9%, with pricing and mix supporting growth. Traditional shisha still generates almost all revenue, while OOKA, Crown Switch, Greentank and U.S. regulatory spending point to accelerating diversification. The next test is whether those investments can become a second business of meaningful scale and profitability.
Capital Markets
Aug.21