Survey Warns Flavour Ban Could Push Kenyan Smokers Back to Cigarettes

A new survey has warned that a proposed ban on flavours in nicotine pouches and vapes could push some Kenyan users back to smoking cigarettes.

The survey, conducted by the Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA), found that 50 per cent of respondents who use nicotine pouches and vapes said the products help them quit smoking, while 47 per cent said they use them as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes.

The findings come as Parliament considers the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes new restrictions on smoke-free nicotine products, including a ban on most flavours.

According to the survey, flavours play a significant role in helping some smokers move away from cigarettes. Half of respondents said flavours help them stay off cigarettes entirely, while 43 per cent said they help them reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. Only 14 per cent preferred tobacco-flavoured products, with most favouring menthol, fruit and other non-tobacco flavours.

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When asked how they would respond if flavoured nicotine products were banned, 32 per cent said they would return to smoking, while 18 per cent said they would smoke more. A further 33 per cent said they would look for flavoured products through alternative sources.

The survey also showed strong support for wider public consultation on the proposed legislation. Eighty-eight per cent of respondents said the Government should conduct consultations that are open to the public, while 89 per cent said policymakers should prioritize helping smokers quit rather than banning flavoured nicotine pouches.

CASA Chairman Joseph Magero said the findings should prompt Parliament to consider the experiences of smokers who are attempting to quit.

“Thousands of Kenyan smokers are using safer nicotine products because they want to leave cigarettes behind,” Magero said, adding that legislation should support smokers moving away from cigarettes rather than make the process more difficult.

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Magero further urged lawmakers to listen to consumers before finalizing the Bill, noting that close to nine in 10 respondents wanted the Government to hear their views before changing the law.

The survey was conducted by CASA, a Pan-African non-governmental organization that advocates for smoke-free environments and promotes discussion around tobacco harm reduction.