Emerging Trends on Smokeless Tobacco Use in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, there is growing demand towards smokeless tobacco use especially among the youth and adolescents. Available data shows that 14.5% of secondary school students and 6.0% of primary school pupils in Kenya have ever use tobacco in their lifetime (NACADA, 2016; NACADA, 2018). Smokeless tobacco use is an emerging public health challenge with epidemiologic and laboratory evidence concluding that it causes oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer in humans (United Nations Population Fund, 2010; United Nations, 2011). In addition, more than 30 carcinogens have been identified in smokeless tobacco products (Central Intelligence Agency, 2012). Further, smokeless tobacco products contain nicotine, and users demonstrate signs of dependence similar to those of cigarette smokers (Kyaing, 2004). With the elaborate Government interventions to control smoking, smokeless tobacco may become an attractive alternative especially among the youth and adolescents. In this regard, NACADA conducted an assessment to establish emerging trends on smokeless tobacco use. Samples of smokeless tobacco were collected in the 8 regions of Kenya stratified across 18 purposively sampled counties. A total of 33 samples were collected and submitted to the Government Chemist for analysis and identification.