The proposed law further seeks to ban single-use plastic vapes for refillable devices and restrict digital advertising of nicotine products. /AI ILLUSTRATION
Nicotine products could face tighter controls on their sale, packaging, flavours and advertising under proposed legislation that Parliament will subject to public scrutiny next week.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health will hold public hearings in seven counties from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, 2026, to gather views on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Catherine Mumma, seeks to amend the Tobacco Control Act, Cap 245A, to regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes and related products.
Among the proposals is a ban on the online sale of nicotine products, as well as hawking of the products.
The Bill also proposes a 100-metre buffer zone between schools and licensed nicotine product distributors or retail outlets.
If enacted, nicotine products would be subject to volume and concentration limits, with bottles capped at 10ml and nicotine concentration restricted to 20mg/ml.
Manufacturers would also be required to use plain packaging carrying prominent health warnings, while non-tobacco flavours would be prohibited.
The proposed law further seeks to ban single-use plastic vapes for refillable devices and restrict digital advertising of nicotine products, including promotions by social media influencers.
The Bill was read for the first time in the House on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, before being referred to the Departmental Committee on Health for consideration and reporting to the House.
The committee will begin its public hearings in Nairobi on Thursday, September 24, from 9am to 1pm at the Mini Chamber, County Hall, Parliament Buildings.
On Friday, September 25, hearings will be held in four counties. The Uasin Gishu forum will take place from 9am to noon at Uasin Gishu County Hall in Eldoret, while the Bungoma hearing will be held from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Red Cross Hall, Kanduyi.
The committee will also hold a hearing in Tharaka Nithi from 9am to noon at Kaanwa Market, Mariani, Chief's Office.
In Meru, the forum will run from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Kamunde Hall, Meru Town.
The final two hearings will be held on Saturday, September 26.
The Laikipia forum will run from 9am to noon at NG-CDF Hall in Nanyuki Town, while the Kisumu hearing will be held from 9am to 1pm at Kisumu Social Hall in Kisumu Town.
National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge said members of the public and stakeholders are invited to attend the hearings, make oral representations or submit written memoranda on the Bill.
“Members of the public and stakeholders are invited to attend, make oral representations or submit written memoranda on the Bill; and to discuss the Bill during the public hearings,” Njoroge said.
The hearings will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to give their views on the proposed changes before the committee considers and reports the Bill back to the National Assembly.
