Ban Shisha like Rwanda, Mututho tells government

A file photo of patrons using Shisha at a hotel in Mombasa. /ELKANA JACOB
A file photo of patrons using Shisha at a hotel in Mombasa. /ELKANA JACOB

Former NACADA chairman John Mututho has asked the government to follow after Rwanda which has banned smoking of Shisha.

He said a large number of youths who are addicted to the drug is worrying adding that Shisha can easily be adulterated with cannabis and heroin.

Two weeks ago, the government of Rwanda banned the use, advertisement and import of the product saying it is 'addictive, dangerous and damaging' to human lives.

According to Mututho, a study conducted by the University of Nairobi found that Shisha had traces of opiates, especially in the towns where samples were collected.

The report, he says had the effects similar to those of smoking tobacco while pipe sharing could lead to spread of infectious diseases like TB and Hepatitis.

"Little is known about the composition of Shisha consumed locally, especially the possibility of adulterated with prohibited substances."

He added that some eight samples collected from various outlets revealed various forms of drugs that Kenyans youths were now using.

"While all the samples tested negative for marijuana and cocaine, they all tested positive for opiates," Mututho told journalists in Naivasha on Sunday.

The former Naivasha MP said there was need for public education of the effects of the drug as some were engaging in their use without knowing the dangers.

"For the case of Shisha, its use is biased towards major towns like Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Kilifi and Malindi."

He said the Tobacco Control Act, 2007 provided for protection of the health of persons under the age of eighteen years by preventing their access to tobacco products.

"The Act also provides for strict adherence to the packaging requirements for all types of tobacco products," the former lawmaker added.

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