Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said that some cosmetic products, including lipstick, may contain hard drugs and wants action taken.
Speaking to the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation, which is chaired by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, Duale said the government is preparing a crackdown on such products, which are mostly imported.
He claimed many of the items, especially those coming from China, are harmful and are targeting young people.
You think your daughter is applying lipstick, but it is not lipstick it is a drug,” Duale told the senators.
He said that the current laws fail to clearly define and deal with these new types of products, and it becomes challenging for the authorities to deal with and prevent them.
Duale clarified that one must revise the laws so that the issue can be dealt with by the national and county governments.
He also said health warnings would be placed on tobacco and nicotine products, including the new ones not covered in earlier regulations.
The aim is to alert people, especially youth, to the hazards, help people discontinue the use of the products, and reduce their use overall.
Duale did not say when the crackdown will start but warned shop owners and traders to be careful about what they carry.
