A new nationwide survey has revealed overwhelming opposition to the Senate’s proposed Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2024, warning it could fuel illicit trade, destroy jobs, and deny smokers safer alternatives.

The Bill seeks to ban flavoured vapes, nicotine pouches, and impose tough restrictions on other smoke-free products.

However, according to the latest Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA) survey, Kenyans believe the law will backfire.

73 per cent of Kenyans say the ban will boost black market sales and endanger consumers, while 81 per cent of users of safer alternatives believe products will simply go underground.

Similarly, 52 per cent of those polled indicated that they would still find products easily on the black market if flavours were banned.

CASA Chairman Joseph Magero, who quit smoking through safer alternatives, warned that banning the safer alternatives will blow up unemployment and illegal sale of cigarettes.

“Bans will only drive consumers to criminals, fuel unemployment and worsen poverty,” said Magero.

He added: “Kenya’s illicit cigarette trade already controls 45 per cent of the market; this Bill will make it worse.”

The survey of 1,000 adults found 83 per cent support for Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) policies, with 85 per cent agreeing that safer products help smokers quit.

Close to two-thirds of those interviewed in the survey also want government-led campaigns promoting safer options.

Critics argue the Bill clashes with Kenya’s top challenge: unemployment – with two out of three respondents identifying joblessness as Kenya’s biggest issue.

They warn that the amendments to the tobacco control regulations will stifle industries established in the sector that have the potential to employ thousands of people in Kenya.

“Safer nicotine alternatives are saving lives globally. Banning them in Kenya is a gift to the black market and a death sentence for smokers,” Magero added.