A month ago, a mother of a 19-year-old young man reached out to me, desperate for help. She had read a Facebook post I shared about a tobacco control radio talk show hosted by Den of Hope Youth Group on Radio Waumini, a catholic based radio station. Her son was struggling with cigarette addiction, and despite seeking assistance from several institutions, his situation was worsening. Her cry is not unique it represents the voices of countless parents across Kenya who are watching their children battle nicotine dependence.
According to the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (2024), approximately 244,000 adolescents (2.5%) in Kenya currently use tobacco or nicotine products. These numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives, families, and futures at risk. Globally, tobacco contributes to nearly 8 million deaths annually, with close to 12,000 of those occurring here in Kenya.What is astonishing is that tobacco products remains relatively cheaper among the adolescents
During public education campaigns by Den of Hope Youth Group, we encounter many young people silently struggling to overcome tobacco and nicotine products addiction. The threat is no longer limited to traditional cigarettes. Emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, are aggressively marketed to youth. In 2024, 40% of Kenyan adolescents reported seeing these products advertised on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often promoted by influencers. These tactics mirror the strategies once used to glamorize cigarette smoking, fueling a new wave of addiction.
Young Kenyans like Kamau face immense barriers to accessing professional help. There are no enough cessation centers, and while surveys show that 52% of smokers aged 15 and above attempted to quit in the past year, many fail due to the addictive nature of nicotine. The ITC survey revealed that only 39% of smokers aged 18 and over had attempted quitting, while 61% expressed plans to quit. Yet without structured support, these intentions often remain unrealized.
As a therapist, I believe strongly in the need for systemic change. Increasing taxation on tobacco products would make them less affordable, reducing accessibility among vulnerable youth. More importantly, we must amend the Tobacco Control Act 2007 to address emerging products falsely marketed as “safe alternatives and to strengthen taxation of tobacco products to ensure that tax policies effectively meet government health and revenue goals.Establishing fully functional cessation centers across the country is also critical to supporting young people like Kamau, who are struggling silently.
The benefits of quitting are immense. Individuals save money, reduce healthcare costs, and improve productivity by avoiding tobacco-related illnesses. Communities also benefit from reduced absenteeism and lower costs of cleaning up after smokers.
Many young people genuinely want to quit. What they need is accessible, professional support. It is time for the Ministry of Health and stakeholders to expand cessation services and strengthen regulations, ensuring that no young person is left to fight this battle alone.
Story by Samwel Oduri
Den of Hope Youth Group