A new report by Kenya Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Response (TIMR) reveals that tobacco companies are effectively evading advertising bans to target young people through sophisticated digital marketing strategies.

• 86% of respondents reported encountering tobacco content online, highlighting significant regulatory and enforcement gaps.
• The report identifies Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and X as heavily utilized platforms for promotions embedded in lifestyle and entertainment content.
• Youth aged 16 to 30 are the primary target, with companies employing influencer partnerships and subtle messaging to glamorize tobacco use and encourage experimentation.