Kenya lawmakers call for ban on nicotine pouch brand

Kenyan lawmakers are calling on the government to ban the sale of a brand of imported nicotine pouches widely sold in the country.

Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha told parliament that Velo was a rebrand of a British American Tobacco (BAT) nicotine pouch commonly known as Lyft, which was declared illegal in 2022 by the then Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe.

Mr Kagwe ordered the deregistration of Lyft after claims that it was licensed and registered illegally.

"Velo is imported from Hungary and distributed in the country by BAT Kenya Limited. No local manufacturer of nicotine pouches exists in the country therefore all nicotine pouches are imported," Ms Nakhumicha said.

The BBC has asked BAT for comment but has not had a response.

According to health experts, Kenya is experiencing a resurgence of highly addictive nicotine products which were banned by the Ministry of Health.

The Kenya Tobacco Control and Health Promotion Alliance, a civil society group, said in a statement that a ban on nicotine pouches would rescue a whole generation from death, disease and disability.

Kenya relies on a 2007 tobacco law to guide its decisions concerning tobacco products.

The health minister said a technical team would review the law and make further recommendations.