Kenya plans wider ban on shisha imports, sales and advertising

The move is set to sharply disrupt the informal shisha trade that has continued operating despite the earlier prohibition, while exposing offenders to substantially higher penalties and tighter enforcement measures.

Under the draft rules, fines for violations would rise from Sh50,000 under the existing framework to a high of Sh1 million, marking one of the sharpest increases in penalties within Kenya’s tobacco control regime.

Shisha smoking has become increasingly popular among the youth, and women in Africa, including in Kenya.

Shisha smoking also goes by the terms sheesha, hookah, narghile, qalyân, waterpipe, or hubble bubble smoking. It comes in several flavours, including fruit, minty, and rich and creamy.

The tobacco is usually mixed with fruit, herbs, or sugar from molasses. Often, the tube is shared, and several people smoke around a table.

The proposed regulations form part of a broader government push to close enforcement loopholes that allowed sections of the shisha business to survive despite the 2017 ban remaining legally in force.

Kenya prohibited consumption of shisha in 2017 following concerns over growing uptake among young people and mounting health risks linked to waterpipe tobacco smoking.

Enforcement has, however, remained inconsistent over the years, with shisha products continuing to circulate in entertainment venues and informal supply channels despite periodic crackdowns by authorities.

The Ministry of Health says the proposed rules are intended to address escalating public health, social and environmental risks associated with shisha smoking in Kenya.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), shisha smoke contains toxic substances including nicotine, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals, while smoking sessions often last significantly longer than conventional cigarette use.

The proposals come as governments globally tighten oversight over alternative smoking products including vaping devices, heated tobacco products and flavoured nicotine systems.

Kenya has in recent years expanded tobacco control measures through higher excise taxes, graphic health warnings, advertising restrictions, as well as public smoking bans.