About

8.1% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 2.6 million current smokers in Kenya

15.6% of men are current smokers but only 0.8% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Kenya
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-04-08

Smoking in Kenya

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Kenya. Smoking prevalence was 15% in 2000 and declined to 10% in 2015, with a further drop to 8% projected by 2025. For men the prevalence decreased from 28% in 2000 to 20% in 2015, with a further decrease to 16% projected by 2025. For women a low prevalence of 2.4% in 2000 dropped to 1% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further still to around 0.7% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates are not age standardised, and were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.

8,118

Deaths

In Kenya, 8118 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Kenya

There is no specific law regarding e-cigarettes. If you have an update please e-mail the GSTHR team.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Kenya

HTP is allowed. You can't advertise HTP in Kenya.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Kenya

In Kenya is legal to purchase nicotine without prescription to using NRT. Advertising NRT is allowed. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Kenya

Snus is allowed. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Kenya.

Pouches

in Kenya

Pouches are allowed.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.