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
- 1. 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. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 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 World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 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.
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.
