State launches crackdown on illegal shisha outlets in Nairobi

The government has launched a renewed crackdown on illegal shisha outlets in Nairobi, arresting several individuals and seizing smoking equipment in a multi-agency operation over the weekend.

The Ministry of Health, through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, announced that a joint operation was conducted over the weekend in Nairobi, targeting outlets violating the national shisha ban.

The coordinated exercise, led by the Division of Drug and Substance Abuse Control in collaboration with a multi-agency team of law enforcement officers, resulted in the arrest of several individuals and the seizure of multiple shisha delivery systems.

The arrested individuals are expected to be arraigned in court for contravening laws related to the importation, distribution, and consumption of shisha.

In a statement, the government emphasized that this operation marks only the beginning of a sustained national campaign aimed at fully enforcing the ban.

“This operation is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to enforce the national shisha ban and safeguard public health,” stated the Ministry.

“We wish to emphasize that this enforcement exercise is just the beginning. Operations to enforce the shisha ban will continue countrywide until this ban is upheld to the fullest.”

Health risks

Shisha smoking poses serious health risks, including respiratory complications, heart problems, and exposure to harmful toxins.

Research shows that just one session of shisha use can expose individuals to higher levels of carbon monoxide and other toxic substances than cigarette smoking.

These dangers prompted the Kenyan government to impose a ban on shisha in 2017, prohibiting its production, import, distribution, and consumption.

However, despite the ban, the sale and use of shisha have persisted in some establishments, triggering the latest wave of enforcement operations aimed at curbing its illegal circulation.

The Ministry of Health appealed to members of the public to support the campaign by reporting any illegal shisha operations to the relevant authorities.

“The Ministry of Health remains committed to protecting the health of our citizens and will work tirelessly to eliminate violations of this ban. We urge the public to support these efforts by reporting any illegal shisha outlets to the relevant authorities,” the Ministry concluded.

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