Nicotine Vaping Devices, commonly known as e-cigarettes, are banned in Kenya since July 2025. Prior to these regulations, some online sources such as Anti Smoking Global Index (https://antismoking.global/world-map) and Tobacco Control Laws (https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/kenya/e-cigarettes) stated that e-cigarettes are allowed with some restrictions. These regulations will deprive many smokers of safer alternatives. It is not clear if these products can be imported for personal use, if you have any experience or information, please share with the GSTHR team.
Regulation
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | no specific law | 1A |
| 2024 | Allowed | 1B |
| 2025 | Allowed | 1C |
| 2025 | Banned | 1D A |
- Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
- Anti-smoking Global Index. (2024). [Data set]. https://antismoking.global/
- Global Tobacco Control. January, 2025. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes; Anti smoking global. January, 2025. https://antismoking.global/world-map; Tobacco control laws. January, 2025. https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation
- Tobacco Reporter. Kenya Bans All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports. Available at: 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.
- Tobacco Reporter. Kenya Bans All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports. Available at: 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.
Publications
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.
