Kenyans turn 'digital' as they go the e-cigarette way

     Seanator Sonko spotted with an E-cigarette at a past event in KICC   PhotoL:File

Nairobi is smoking, and it is doing so ‘digitally,’ now that e-cigarettes are becoming popular.

Dealers in digital cigarettes like Eric Sokoine are already reaping good returns.

Eric who quit smoking, is determined to sell what he says is a safer alternative to smoking.

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko is one of those who are ‘puffing’ these digital cigs.

In 2013, he was pictured at a concert at KICC with an e-cigarette, which he did not mind smoking publicly.

E-cigarettes are being taken up by those wishing to kick the tar and carcinogenic substances-laden and addictive tobacco cigarettes. They are believed to be less toxic and have a liquid solution that contains nicotine. The liquid is heated in the delivery system to produce vapour.

To meet individual tastes, the cigarettes come in different models and colours. Others even look like pens. There are also a variety of flavours - from cherry to strawberry.

Sokoine told City Biz that he ventured into the e-cigarette business after quitting smoking. His search on the internet for a safer alternative led him to e-cigarettes.

The computer science graduate from Intel College in Nairobi found a supplier of e-cigarettes and the liquid in the UK, from where he imports them.

“I used Sh150, 000 as capital. I started the business in March after some research and became fully operational in June this year. The thing with a new business is that you have to educate people on what it is all about,” he revealed.

He says that he has a number of customers in the city: “I get a lot of customers from different people, mainly the upscale ones.”

A single e-cigarette is equivalent in quantity to five packets of tobacco cigarettes, and costs Sh3, 000. One flavour costs between Sh900 to Sh1, 000.

According to Eric, e-cigarettes last longer and are less harmful, even though the cigarette and the flavour costs Sh4, 000 in total.

The e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that converts liquid nicotine into a vapour that the smoker inhales. There’s no fire, no ash and no smoky smell.

The business, according to Eric, is flexible.

He doesn’t have peak or low seasons as it all depends on smokers and those opting to quit. He discloses that he made about Sh80, 000 in the first two months of business.

Some vendors have advertised e-cigarettes on Jumuia Kenya, the online shopping portal, however, Jumuia’s marketing manager Robinson Murage says the product is not fast moving on due to little knowledge on e-cigarettes. Other major e-cigarette retailers include Vape Kenya and Jaspers.

In Kenya, there is no clear policy to regulate or guide the use, sale and consumption of e-cigarettes.