Lyft Nicotine Pouches Banned In Kenya

                     LYFT BANNED IN KENYA

British American Tobacco (BAT)nicotine pouches commonly known  as LYFT has been declared illegal in Kenya by the Health CS Mutahi Kagwe. The CS Mutahi Kagwe ordered deregistration of lyft after claims that it was licensed and registered illegally.

According to a directive communication to the pharmacy and poisons board, he reckons that licensing of nicotine pouches lyft was done contrary to the provision of section 25 of the pharmacy and poison Act CAP 224 And it does not meet the provisions of section 23 of CAP 224 of selling the product public as required.

Lyft nicotine pouches were introduced in Kenya in 2019 from Sweden and had gained popularity among the youths during the covid -19 pandemic period when the night clubs and other entertainment places were shut down.Lyft was an alternative for cigarettes’ addiction.

The product is available in a variety of strengths 2 and 4 and flavours including berry frost which is more popular and tropical breeze flavour satchets of 5grammes and 20 grammes can.

Lyft has been retailing in Kenya from the prices of Ksh 20 and above

The Kenyan tobacco Alliance (ketca),parents and anti-tobacco groups raised their concerns  that lyft is easily accessible and being used by minors. “A product that is highly addictive, which poses health risks, should not be sold freely. We want the nicotine product heavily taxed and regulated,just as we handle other tobacco products, “said Joel Gitali (ketca)chairman.

Many users says one gets high in a span of a short time, but the effects are further heightened if one takes alcohol .According to the lobby ,there is no qualified data to show that the pouches are less risky alternative it cigarettes ketca official said if it was designed for smokers trying to quit the habit ,then it should only be accessible on prescription of  doctor.

Parents also asked the government to carry out further test on nicotine products (lyft)expressing concern children were abusing the highly addictive drug. National parent Association chairman Nicholas Maiyo warned kids might become addicted because there are no restriction on the sale of the product.