IILA urges Parliament to fast-track Tobacco Control Bill

The International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) has pleaded with Kenya's Parliament to expedite the passage of the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The urgency lies in the potential dangers posed by emerging nicotine products, particularly among the young population. Over the years, Kenya has made strides in tobacco control, with usage rates dropping from 11.6% in 2014 to 8.5% in 2022.

However, the rise in use of new nicotine products remains a cause for concern, especially among the youth. IILA's Programmes Manager, Ken Marau, urged legislators to focus on public health, emphasizing that the current Bill presents an opportunity to regulate new nicotine and tobacco products. Similar sentiments were echoed at a stakeholders forum, where Rachel Kitonyo Devotsu of the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer highlighted that the proposed amendments aim to fill regulatory gaps, particularly concerning electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

These products are increasingly targeted at children, adolescents, and university students. Devotsu warned that if the Bill, which has been under consideration since 2021, lapses before the next elections, Kenya would have to restart the legislative process. The amendments seek to expand the definition of tobacco products to include nicotine products, ban flavors designed to attract new users, prohibit online sales and advertising, and allocate funds to support enforcement activities and county-level programmes.

Health and development economist Dr. Peter Magati suggested that some of the gaps could be addressed through administrative changes within government, rather than waiting for new legislation.