Lyft, a product that was banned in 2020 in Kenya by the then Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe for being registered and licenced illegally saw the product rebrand and make a comeback under the name Velo. These are nicotine pouches that are highly addictive and can be sold across the counters in the kenyan shops and chemists.
The product has raised concerns because of its availability and adverse effects including being highly addictive making youths access it easily without proper regulations of age and supply.
The effects of Velo is just the same as that of nicotine but because of its concentration, the effects are extreme. They include: severe headache, sore mouth, nausea hiccups, gum irritation and even addiction. Experts also noted poor attention among users which makes them difficult to learn under it’s influence with also a high risk of relapse with tobacco products.
Appearing before parliament on Wednesday, the current Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumincha said that Velo is imported from Hungary and distributed in Kenya by the British American Tobacco.
Members of Parliament led by Nominated MP Sabina Chege called for the ban of the product citing its adverse effects on youths and children in Kenya.
In her submission, Sabina Chege came to the floor of the house with Velo Products for MPs to see the sample of the item in question.
In the statement, she asked “Why would we allow an addictive drug imported from Hungary into Kenya…? We should reconsider the decision and this (Velo) should be banned until it is investigated properly so that we save our generation and young people”
The Health CS said that they have put together a technical team to review the Tobacco Act, 2007 and they shall be bringing it to the house to make sure the ban of this product is finalised in accordance with the law.