Kenya Implements Ban on All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports

Kenya Tobacco Ban

The Kenyan government has instituted an immediate and comprehensive ban on the importation of all tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and vaping items. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the move before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation on July 30th.

Duale stated the ban aims to reduce the availability of these products and combat rising youth addiction, which he said is fueled by cheap, accessible imports that frustrate government efforts to curb misuse. “Tobacco products have been flooding our markets… This is why we decided to ban imports,” he asserted. He also noted that the government is designing more sophisticated graphic health warnings for packaging.

This import ban follows a ministry directive from May 31st that suspended all existing licenses for the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, and promotion of nicotine and related products, requiring entities to reapply. The committee expressed strong support for the minister’s decisive action, emphasizing that the health of Kenyans must come first, despite potential opposition from the tobacco industry.

Matthew Ma
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