Registration of nicotine pouches LYFT illegal, Kagwe declares

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has declared the registration of nicotine pouches popularly known as LYFT illegal and wants them deregistered.

In a letter to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board CEO Fred Siyoi seen by the Star, Kagwe said the licencing of the pouches by the board was done contrary to the provisions of Section 25 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act CAP 224.

The poisons board had registered them as a pharmaceutical drug.

"The nicotine pouches neither meet the descriptions of 'Part I Poison' nor "Part II poison' as prescribed in the Act," the letter reads in part.

"Further, the manner in which the product is sold to the public does not meet the provisions of Section 23 of CAP 244 as required," it adds.

The CS further notes that market surveillance has revealed that the product is dispensed in automatic vending machines contrary to the law.

"In view of the above, therefore, you are required to furnish the ministry with a comprehensive report on the criteria used and circumstances leading to the registration and licencing of the product under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act."

The product has been gaining popularity since it was introduced in the market late last year.

LYFT is a nicotine pouche marketed by BAT Kenya as an alternative to cigarettes for addicted smokers.

The pouch is placed inside the mouth between the lip and gums for extended periods.

However, BAT has always maintained that the product is a tobacco-free modern oral nicotine pouch and is meant for the adult population.

But Anti-tobacco lobby groups led by the Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance have always protested the registration of the product by the board, saying the product is causing serious addiction to the youth.

Other organisations that have called for the product deregistered include the National Taxpayers Association, the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance of Kenya, the International Institute for Legislative Affairs and the Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations.