Senators propose a new bill that proposes stiffer penalties for individuals caught selling tobacco products to minors. The Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2024, now in its second reading in the Senate, is receiving widespread support as lawmakers seek to clamp down on the growing threat of youth addiction.
Debate on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday revealed rising concern over flavored tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, which lawmakers say are being used to lure minors into nicotine use. If passed, the bill will outlaw additives and flavors in all tobacco products.
The existing law is outdated and no longer meets the current realities on the ground. The current regulations under the Tobacco Control Act were enacted in 2007 and have remained largely unchanged despite significant shifts in how tobacco is marketed and consumed.
Lawmakers warned that unscrupulous vendors are targeting school-age children by disguising tobacco products with appealing flavors and packaging. The bill also includes a clause that addresses the unregulated sale of e-cigarettes and vapes, proposing heavy fines and possible jail terms for offenders.
The proposed law seeks to align Kenya’s tobacco control efforts with global public health standards. It would also empower enforcement agencies to take more decisive action against illegal tobacco sales, particularly around schools and public spaces.
Under the bill, individuals found guilty of selling tobacco to children could face penalties higher than those currently prescribed under the 2007 law. It also mandates clearer labeling and bans on promotional materials aimed at youth.
The debate in the Senate is expected to continue before the bill is forwarded to the National Assembly. If adopted into law, the amendments would mark the most significant overhaul of tobacco regulations in nearly two decades.
Health advocates have long warned that rising nicotine use among youth, especially through e-cigarettes, is setting the stage for a public health crisis. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, nicotine addiction among adolescents has increased sharply in urban centers, driven by increased access to flavored tobacco products.
The government has been under pressure to tighten enforcement and plug regulatory gaps that have allowed new nicotine products to enter the market with little oversight.
If the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill passes both houses of Parliament, Kenya will join a growing list of countries taking stronger steps to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco.
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