A case for increasing taxes on cigarettes, vapes and oral nicotine pouches, Kenya

The article explores the urgent need for reforming Kenya's tobacco tax policies to effectively reduce tobacco and nicotine product consumption, particularly among young people. Despite Kenya's commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the enactment of the Tobacco Control Act, cigarette use among the youth remains alarmingly high. The decentralized implementation of this act across Kenya's 47 counties has led to inconsistencies, which the tobacco industry exploits to target vulnerable populations, particularly in under-resourced areas. The current cigarette tax regime in Kenya fails to meet WHO's recommendations, contributing to the affordability of tobacco products.

The article also highlights the rising popularity of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches among young people in Kenya, emphasizing the need for aggressive tax reforms. These reforms should include the elimination of the two-tier tax system and the introduction of higher taxes on all nicotine products. The authors stress the importance of data collection and monitoring to inform targeted policy interventions, with Kenya encouraged to draw lessons from Uganda’s progressive taxation approach. Finally, the article calls for the creation of a social justice tax framework to hold the tobacco industry accountable for its impact on public health, urging WHO to play a leading role in guiding these critical tax reforms.