According to a report by the Kenya Star on December 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed support for Kenya's proposal to ban e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, stating that there is "warning evidence" about the detrimental health effects of these products.
In September 2022, Senator Catherine Mumma proposed a motion to ban or tightly regulate e-cigarettes and other new nicotine delivery products. Other senators expressed their support for the motion, highlighting the growing use of e-cigarettes among minors and students, as well as the widespread abuse of nicotine, which they believe poses a threat to society. Despite the proven harms associated with these products, they are openly displayed in Kenyan stores and heavily promoted on social media platforms.
On Thursday (December 14th), the World Health Organization refuted claims made by supporters of nicotine products that these products can help traditional cigarette smokers quit smoking.
The World Health Organization stated in a declaration:
Urgent action is needed to control e-cigarettes in order to protect children and non-smokers, as well as minimize potential health risks to the population. From a societal perspective, e-cigarettes, as consumer products, have not demonstrated effective help in smoking cessation. On the contrary, there is emerging warning evidence of adverse effects on public health associated with e-cigarettes.
The organization also released a technical document, calling for global action on e-cigarettes. Currently, e-cigarette sales are prohibited in 34 countries, with 88 countries lacking regulations on the minimum age for purchasing these products. Shockingly, 74 countries have failed to implement any regulations on these harmful products.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed concerns about the recruitment and entrapment of children using e-cigarettes, which could lead to nicotine addiction. He urges countries to implement strict measures to prevent the spread of e-cigarette use in order to protect citizens, particularly children and young people.
The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (Ketca) also supports the ban on these products. Ketca is a national network of civil society dedicated to promoting health, and its chairman, Joel Gitali, says, "We have evidence that tobacco industry and other nicotine product distributors are targeting primary school children through targeted advertisements, and we need a comprehensive ban on these products.
The Kenyan Senate is currently awaiting a legislative proposal to regulate electronic vaporizers and other nicotine delivery products.
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
