KDRTV News – Nairobi: As nations around the globe observe World Vape Day on May 30th, Kenya faces scale up scrutiny over legislative inaction on nicotine regulation. The much-anticipated Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2024 has stalled in the Senate, igniting regulatory uncertainty and public misinformation around smokeless nicotine products.
The Harm Reduction Society has expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay, warning that it is derailing progress in the fight against tobacco-related diseases. “Delays to the Senate’s tobacco control amendment bill 2024 are stoking regulatory uncertainty around smokeless nicotine products and are fuelling misinformation about their ability to reduce tobacco-related harm,” the Society said in a statement on Thursday.
The bill was expected to introduce regulatory frameworks for alternative nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches, widely viewed as safer alternatives to combustible tobacco. Advocates of harm reduction argue that clear legislation is essential not only for consumer safety but also to support smokers seeking less harmful options.
Globally, public health agencies in countries like the UK and New Zealand have embraced smokeless products as part of comprehensive harm reduction strategies, contributing to significant declines in smoking rates. In contrast, Kenya’s legislative vacuum threatens to undermine public trust and steer users back toward deadly traditional tobacco.
Critics argue that without a supportive legal environment, fear, stigma, and misinformation will continue to dominate the public narrative – blocking potential health gains.
On World Vape Day, experts are calling on the Kenyan Senate to act fast. “We need a science-led, health-focused policy that prioritizes facts over fear,” the Harm Reduction Society emphasized.
Whether Kenya will embrace harm reduction or let hesitation dictate health policy remains to be seen. But as the smoke lingers around Parliament, so does the urgency for action.
