{
  "id": 2722985,
  "title": "Govt asked to raise tobacco tax as its use costs Kenya Ksh90B annually",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/govt-asked-to-raise-tobacco-tax-as-its-use-costs-kenya-ksh90b-annually",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-23T04:58:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/govt-asked-to-raise-tobacco-tax-as-its-use-costs-kenya-ksh90b-annually"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kenya's tobacco use is responsible for an annual financial burden ranging from Ksh75 billion to Ksh90 billion, according to public health experts. Concerns have arisen that this economic impact could worsen as young people increasingly turn to nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. To address the issue, stakeholders are urging the government and Parliament to utilize available data to strengthen regulation and decrease tobacco consumption, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The Tobacco Control Data Initiative is working to consolidate evidence on tobacco use in Kenya, focusing on its health and economic consequences and the rising popularity of new nicotine products.\n\nSenior Tobacco Control Adviser Rachel Kitonyo emphasized the financial burden associated with tobacco consumption, stating that Ksh75 to Ksh90 billion every year could be used in other sectors of the economy. She suggested that increasing tobacco taxes could discourage consumption while simultaneously generating revenue for the government. Additionally, she highlighted that the average Kenyan smoker consumes about eight cigarettes daily, leading to significant expenditures over time. Kitonyo noted that an average smoker spends approximately Ksh3,600 monthly on cigarettes, aside from the broader costs linked to tobacco-related illnesses, such as treatment, lost productivity, and premature deaths. Stakeholders are especially worried about the growing use of tobacco and emerging nicotine products among young people, with 6.5 per cent of adolescents aged 10 to 17 having ever used tobacco products, amounting to roughly 622,000 young individuals. Current use among this age group is 2.5 per cent, equivalent to around 244,000 adolescents. The challenge extends to university campuses, where tobacco, alcohol, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes are widely consumed, and targeted programs are necessary to address this issue. The growth of nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes has further complicated tobacco control, necessitating regulations that cover both traditional tobacco products and newer alternatives. Ken Michuki, Programme Manager at the International Institute for Legislative Affairs, pointed out that the ongoing legislative process could provide an opportunity for Parliament to prioritize public health interests. He mentioned the Tobacco Control Amendment Bill 2024, which could create a framework for regulating emerging nicotine and tobacco products, particularly those that are increasingly accessible to young people. The Bill, sponsored by nominated Senator Catherine Muma and already passed by the Senate, is currently being reviewed by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health. Stakeholders are urging lawmakers to consider the evidence from the Tobacco Control Data Initiative as they deliberate on the proposed amendments, advocating for stronger regulation, taxation, public awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions in educational institutions to curb tobacco and nicotine use while alleviating the long-term health and economic burden on Kenya.",
  "summary": "Tobacco use is costing Kenya between Ksh75 billion and Ksh90 billion every year, with public health experts warning that the economic burden could worsen as young people increasingly turn to emerging nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Stakeholders in tobacco control are now pushing the government and Parliament to use available data to […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Tobacco use costs Kenya Ksh90 billion annually, burdening the economy.",
    "Young people, including 6.5% of adolescents, increasingly use tobacco products.",
    "Tax increase and regulation urged to curb tobacco consumption among youth."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's consideration of increased tobacco tax aims to curb consumption, particularly among young people, and generate revenue, shifting funds currently spent on tobacco-related illnesses to other economic sectors.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}