Kenya
RestrictedOnline Sales
Prohibited
Offline Sales
Allowed
Legal Age
21+
Ban Scope
None
Allowed Product Types
Pod SystemDisposableRefillable
Purchase Channels
Tobacco ShopSpecialty Store
Complete Policy Details
Latest Developments
Starting from July 2025, nicotine nebulization devices will be officially included in regulatory control. The government has suspended all existing tobacco and nicotine import licenses and requires reapplication under the new regulations.
The 2024 Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill is currently under review in the Senate (still in committee stage as of February 2026). The bill aims to include electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags within the framework of the 2007 Tobacco Control Act, introducing licensing requirements, standardizing nicotine content, mandatory health warnings, restricting advertising, enforcing age restrictions, and expanding smoke-free areas (including vaping).
If the bill is passed, it will completely ban flavored products (electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags), electronic cigarette e-liquids with nicotine concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mL, cartridge capacity ≤ 2mL, bottled e-liquids ≤ 10mL, and impose capacity restrictions on disposable electronic cigarettes, refillable cartridges, and magazines.
Policy Trends
Starting from July 2025, nicotine nebulization devices will be officially included in regulatory control. The government has suspended all existing tobacco and nicotine import licenses and requires reapplication under the new regulations.
The 2024 Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill is currently under review in the Senate (still in committee stage as of February 2026). The bill aims to include electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags within the framework of the 2007 Tobacco Control Act, introducing licensing requirements, standardizing nicotine content, mandatory health warnings, restricting advertising, enforcing age restrictions, and expanding smoke-free areas (including vaping).
If the bill is passed, it will completely ban flavored products (electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags), electronic cigarette e-liquids with nicotine concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mL, cartridge capacity ≤ 2mL, bottled e-liquids ≤ 10mL, and impose capacity restrictions on disposable electronic cigarettes, refillable cartridges, and magazines.
Taxation
Liquid nicotine for electronic cigarettes: 100 Kenyan shillings/mL (effective December 27, 2024).
IILA proposes to raise the tax rate to 200 shillings/mL and increase the equipment tax rate from 40% to 60%.
Nicotine containing inhalation products (no need to burn/take orally): Consumption tax of 2000 Kenyan shillings/kg
Import tariffs: Electronic cigarette devices are levied according to HS codes, with varying tax rates.
Value added tax: 16% (standard tax rate)
Sales Channel Restrictions
Only sold in licensed tobacco retailers and licensed e-cigarette specialty stores, prohibited in regular convenience stores and supermarkets.
The draft proposes a comprehensive ban on online sales and advertising.
Prohibited for sale in areas surrounding schools, religious sites, and youth centers (distance to be disclosed)
Imported electronic cigarettes require a new license application, and the existing license will be suspended in July 2025.
Vending machines are prohibited from selling
Age Restrictions
21+
Flavour Restrictions
The draft proposes to completely ban all flavored electronic cigarettes, and only allow pure tobacco flavor (no added essence).
The definition of "characteristic flavor" includes fruits, candies, menthol, vanilla, etc. (with or without nicotine).
Nicotine bags containing any flavor ingredients are prohibited, and each bag must not exceed 10mg of nicotine.
Product Specifications
Nicotine concentration: The draft proposes that it should not exceed 10 mg/mL (1%). (There is currently no upper limit)
Cartridge capacity: ≤ 2 mL (disposable electronic cigarettes, refillable cartridges, and cartridges)
Bottled e-liquid capacity: ≤ 10 mL
Prohibited harmful additives: Vitamin E acetate, diacetyl, acetoin (negative list)
Child safety: Containers must be 'child proof and tamper proof' and equipped with a 'leak proof refilling mechanism'
Hardware Requirements
The container must comply with the SN EN ISO 8317 child safety standard (child proof) and tamper proof (tamper proof).
A leak proof refilling mechanism is required.
Battery safety: There is no mandatory national standard requirement, but new models must self certify compliance with international standards (such as IEC 62133)
Hardware must be tested in an authorized certification laboratory
Packaging Requirements
Health Warning: The draft proposes to cover 75% of the area with graphic and textual warnings (including pictures of diseased organs), bilingual in Swahili and English.
Mandatory ingredient list (in descending order), nicotine content (mg/mL), production batch number, shelf life, manufacturer/importer information.
Prohibit flavor descriptions, food/fruit/dessert/cartoon images, misleading advertising (such as "natural", "harmless", "organic").
Children's warning: "Stay away from children" (Weka mbali na watoto)
Nicotine bags must be equipped with removable health warning labels
Advertising Restrictions
Completely prohibit all media advertising (television, radio, print, outdoor billboards, and online media).
Prohibit social media promotion, influencer/KOL collaborations, and sponsorship activities.
Prohibit marketing tactics such as free samples and buy and get promotions.
Sales points are only allowed to display product information (text) for non promotional purposes.
The draft requires that all online sales and advertising be completely prohibited
Notification Requirements
All electronic cigarette products (including equipment and e-liquids) must obtain prior approval from the Minister of Health before they can be produced, imported, or sold. The minister shall publish a list of approved and prohibited products, authorized manufacturers, and importers.
Complete technical documents (including ingredient list, toxicology, emissions, and safety testing reports) must be submitted to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and tested by a KEBS accredited laboratory.
Must have a registered entity or designated local authorized representative in Kenya.
Commercial products must submit security updates every two years.
The finance minister has extensive tax and pricing regulatory powers.
Policy Documents
The 2024 Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act (Senate Bill 35) includes electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches in the 2007 Tobacco Control Act
Tobacco Control Act No. 4 of 2007, last revised in 2009
Kenya Revenue Authority 2024 Tax Law Amendment (Consumption Tax) Bill XX of 2024 (effective December 27, 2024)
Smoking ban provisions in public places under the Public Health Law (including vaping extensions)
New regulations issued by the Ministry of Health in July 2025 (suspension of tobacco and nicotine product import licenses)
Competent Authorities
Senate Health Committee: Deliberation on the 2024 Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act, leading agency for public opinion collection
Ministry of Health: Policy formulation, product approval, management of authorized manufacturers/importers list, enforcement of smoking areas
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA): Tax collection, import control, and combating smuggling
Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS): Product safety certification, quality testing, standard setting
Anti Counterfeit Agency: Crackdown on Illegal Tobacco Trade and Counterfeit Electronic Cigarette Products
National Treasury: Tax policy-making, pricing regulation
Policy Details
Starting from July 2025, nicotine nebulization devices will be officially included in regulatory control. The government has suspended all existing tobacco and nicotine import licenses and requires reapplication under the new regulations.
The 2024 Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill is currently under review in the Senate (still in committee stage as of February 2026). The bill aims to include electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags within the framework of the 2007 Tobacco Control Act, introducing licensing requirements, standardizing nicotine content, mandatory health warnings, restricting advertising, enforcing age restrictions, and expanding smoke-free areas (including vaping).
If the bill is passed, it will completely ban flavored products (electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags), electronic cigarette e-liquids with nicotine concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mL, cartridge capacity ≤ 2mL, bottled e-liquids ≤ 10mL, and impose capacity restrictions on disposable electronic cigarettes, refillable cartridges, and magazines.
Starting from July 2025, nicotine nebulization devices will be officially included in regulatory control. The government has suspended all existing tobacco and nicotine import licenses and requires reapplication under the new regulations.
The 2024 Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill is currently under review in the Senate (still in committee stage as of February 2026). The bill aims to include electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags within the framework of the 2007 Tobacco Control Act, introducing licensing requirements, standardizing nicotine content, mandatory health warnings, restricting advertising, enforcing age restrictions, and expanding smoke-free areas (including vaping).
If the bill is passed, it will completely ban flavored products (electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags), electronic cigarette e-liquids with nicotine concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mL, cartridge capacity ≤ 2mL, bottled e-liquids ≤ 10mL, and impose capacity restrictions on disposable electronic cigarettes, refillable cartridges, and magazines.
Last Updated: 2026-10