
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has expressed deep concern over the rising use of tobacco products, especially vaping, among children under 17 years and women in Kenya.
Speaking on NTV’s Fixing the Nation, Muthoni revealed that over 100,000 children aged between 10 and 17 are now using vape products. She also noted a worrying trend of more women taking up smoking, surpassing men, largely driven by the appeal of flavoured tobacco products flooding the market.
“If you see the number of children between 10 and 17 taking vape, it is more than 100,000 already. The rise of smoking among women is higher than men right now because of the appealing products that are coming into the market,” she stated.
The PS attributed this increase to lax enforcement of tobacco regulations, highlighting that the attractive packaging of vape products entices both children and women.
To curb this, the Ministry of Health recently suspended all existing licenses and import clearances related to the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, or promotion of nicotine and related products. This move aims to enforce compliance with the Tobacco Control Act and promote responsible drug use.
Additionally, the ministry has mandated 17 graphic health warnings to be displayed on all nicotine products, including vapes, pouches, and cigarettes, to educate the public on the dangers of tobacco.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Duale, during a tobacco product incineration exercise at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, emphasized the harmful effects of these unregulated products. The event marked World No Tobacco Day and saw over 5.5 tonnes of illicit tobacco products, seized at Eldoret International Airport, destroyed.
“These products are not just unregulated and cheap, they’re dangerous. They poison our young generation,” CS Duale warned.
The government continues to strengthen efforts to protect public health, especially vulnerable groups such as children and women, from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products.
Written By Rodney Mbua