In Kenya, nicotine pouches are legally allowed, including their sale, online purchase, and use. There are no restrictions on the range of their flavours. However, some restrictions still apply: health warnings on packaging are required, health claims are not permitted, and nicotine content is restricted to less than 16.6 mg per pouch. The general taxation rate is 0.02 KES per pouch (10 mg), and the excise tax rate ranges between 10% and 50% of those levied on cigarettes.
Product promotion
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Nicotine Pouches. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 10 April 2025.
Regulation
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Banned | 1A |
| 2024 | Allowed | 1B |
| 2024 | Allowed | 1C |
| 2025 | Banned | 1D A |
- Country Fact Sheets. (2022, April). Tobacco Transformation Index. https://tobaccotransformationindex.org/country-comparison/
- Anti-smoking Global Index. (2024). [Data set]. https://antismoking.global/
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Nicotine Pouches. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 10 April 2025.
- https://tobaccoreporter.com/2025/08/01/kenya-bans-all-tobacco-and-nicotine-imports/#:~:text=Kenya%20Bans%20All%20Tobacco%20and,Challenges%20Higher%20Excise%20Duty%E2%86%92
- Kenya Bans All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports and suspended existing licenses, requiring re-application under strict new rules to curb youth addiction and strengthen public health regulations. NA
- Kenya Bans All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports and suspended existing licenses, requiring re-application under strict new rules to curb youth addiction and strengthen public health regulations. NA
Availability
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | No information | A |
| 2025 | No | 1A B |
- Information is not available or lack of reliable sources.
- Kenya Bans All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports and suspended existing licenses, requiring re-application under strict new rules to curb youth addiction and strengthen public health regulations. NA
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Nicotine Pouches. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 10 April 2025.
- Information is not available or lack of reliable sources.
Regulations and restrictions
- The Examination. Kenya sets precedent with graphic health warnings on vapes and nicotine pouches. Available at: https://www.theexamination.org/articles/kenya-sets-precedent-with-graphic-health-warnings-on-vapes-and-nicotine-pouches. Accessed: 10 April 2025.
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Nicotine Pouches. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 10 April 2025.
Tax
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Nicotine Pouches. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 10 April 2025.
- Mostert CM, Ayo-Yusuf OA, Kumar M, Aballa A, Njoroge W, Bosire E, Khakali L, Thomi J, Muthaura K, Atwoli L, Merali Z. A case for increasing taxes on cigarettes, vapes and oral nicotine pouches, Kenya. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2024 Jul 4;102(8):618.
Publications
What are nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Here we provide an introduction to the tobacco harm reduction potential of this category.
Tobacco harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
With the number of tobacco users across the continent set to rise by 2025, we look at the current state of tobacco harm reduction in the region, assessing the progress made so far and the obstacles preventing greater adoption of safer nicotine products.