This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
Kenyan parents are sounding the alarm over the sale of Lyft, a new nicotine product introduced by British American Tobacco (BAT-Kenya), which they claim is being abused by children.
Lyft, a nicotine pouch marketed as an alternative to cigarettes for addicted smokers, has been gaining popularity since its introduction in the Kenyan market last July.
Available over the counter at Sh20, the product is easily found in supermarkets and local shops, raising concerns among parents that it is being accessed by school-going children.
‘Currently, there are no restrictions on age. We demand that the government conducts tests on this drug,’ said National Parents Association Chairman Nicholas Maiyo.
While BAT-Kenya claims that Lyft is a tobacco-free modern oral nicotine pouch designed for adult smokers only, parents are worried that the product's highly addictive nature and easy accessibility could lead to widespread abuse among children.
‘It is tiny tea bag-like sachet with a white substance. It makes one high. My cousin was taken to hospital after consuming two sachets,’ said Mrs Caren Owili, a parent in Kisumu.
As the debate over the sale of Lyft continues, BAT-Kenya has announced plans to build a Sh2.5 billion factory in Nairobi to produce the nicotine pouches for the African market.
However, parents are calling for the government to take action to prevent the sale of the product to children, citing the potential risks associated with nicotine addiction.
