The Ministry of Health has banned the importation of 11 Chinese cigarette brands for violating the Tobacco Control Act 2007 and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2014.
Through the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards’ Tobacco Control Board, the Ministry shut down a godown operated by a Chinese company along Mombasa Road for illegally importing 1,716 cartons containing the 11 brands of cigarette.
A document seen by TV47 Digital says that the Ministry’s officials and officers from the DCI inspected the godown — operated by Shapo Limited — on 25th March 2025.
It was during this inspection, the Ministry says, that it found four brands (Harmonization, Septwolves, Naijing and Goldenleaf) were not in its database.
“Upon further evaluation, all the 11 brands were found to be in violation of the Tobacco Control Act 2007 and Tobacco Control Regulations 2014,” the document reads in part.
Consequently, the Ministry has rescinded/cancelled all clearance letters issued to the company earlier authorising the importation of the tobacco products.
The Tobacco Control Act is an Act of Parliament that controls the production, manufacture, sale, labelling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.
