As of 2015, an estimated 968,900 people in Kenya were current users of traditional smokeless tobacco. The adult current use prevalence of these products was 3.6%, with 4.0% of men and 3.3% of women using these products. Daily use prevalence was 2.4% overall, slightly higher among women (2.8%) than men (2.1%), suggesting that while men were more likely to try smokeless tobacco, women were more likely to use it regularly. From a regulatory standpoint, traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed in Kenya and is regulated as a tobacco product. Hence, the sale, use, and online purchase of smokeless tobacco are legal. However, there is a ban on all forms of advertising, and health warnings on packaging are required. The minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years.
Prevalence
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ken.pdf?sfvrsn=6fd5b57b_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
- Adults survey: Kenya STEPS survey, 2015; National, ages 18-69
Product promotion
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ken.pdf?sfvrsn=6fd5b57b_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulation
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Kenya. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/kenya/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 30 May 2025.
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ken.pdf?sfvrsn=6fd5b57b_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Kenya. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/kenya/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 30 May 2025.
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ken.pdf?sfvrsn=6fd5b57b_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Regulations and restrictions
- WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ken.pdf?sfvrsn=6fd5b57b_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.