A walk through Kampala’s nightlife, or in cities such as Masaka, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Lira or Mbarara on any given weekend, reveals a growing trend among young people. Brightly flavoured shisha pipes sit on tables. Sleek nicotine vaping devices pass from hand to hand. To many, it looks harmless, stylish and even fashionable.
But behind the sweet flavours, colourful packaging and social appeal lies a more troubling reality: addiction, serious health risks and an industry increasingly targeting young people.
Tobacco and nicotine are no longer seen only as habits associated with older adults. They are steadily hooking a new generation.
Some young people who feel uncomfortable being seen near shisha pots are instead turning to e-cigarettes and vaping devices. For many, it feels like trying something new. Others see it as a safer or more socially acceptable alternative.
But an important question remains: do they fully understand what they are using and the long-term consequences, or are they simply experimenting with products carefully designed to feel exciting and harmless?
Nicotine, the addictive substance found in tobacco and also produced in laboratories, is a powerful stimulant. It reaches the brain within seconds and quickly creates dependence.
Many shisha and vaping products contain nicotine.
In Uganda, flavoured tobacco products are banned under the Tobacco Control Act of 2015 and the Tobacco Control Regulations of 2019. The law prohibits the importation, sale and distribution of these products. It also bans smoking in indoor public places.
What many people may not realise is that passive smoking, simply breathing in tobacco smoke from others, can also cause many of the same illnesses linked to active smoking.
According to the World Health Organization, about 30 per cent of young people are exposed to tobacco smoke.
Unfortunately, many users remain unaware of the law and the health risks involved.
The tobacco and nicotine industry has become increasingly sophisticated in the way it attracts young consumers.
Products are packaged to look sleek, modern and fashionable. Some resemble flash drives or brightly coloured accessories that appeal easily to children and young adults.
Flavours such as fruit, candy and desserts create the impression that these products are mild or harmless.
Social media and pop culture reinforce that image, often portraying tobacco and nicotine use as trendy or aspirational.
Even labels suggesting “reduced harm” can create a false sense of safety.
The marketing is strategic, and deeply misleading.
During my time at Makerere University, I had the opportunity to actively engage in tobacco control advocacy. I was also privileged to receive training on Uganda’s Tobacco Control Act of 2015 through a Ministry of Health programme conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization, alongside student leaders from seven universities.
That training deepened my understanding of tobacco control laws and exposed the sophisticated ways the industry targets young people.
It also made one thing painfully clear: for tobacco companies, profit often comes before lives.
The experience strengthened my commitment to raising awareness and helping young people recognise these tactics before they become trapped by addiction.
From a medical perspective, no tobacco product is safe.
Nicotine is highly addictive and can interfere with brain development, especially among adolescents and young adults.
Tobacco use also harms nearly every major organ in the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
The World Health Organization’s well-known “tobacco body” illustration clearly shows how tobacco damages nearly every organ system.
Quitting nicotine can be difficult because addiction is powerful, but it is possible.
Setting a quit date, identifying personal triggers, avoiding environments that encourage tobacco use and seeking support from friends or health professionals can all improve the chances of success.
Most importantly, people should rely on proven methods and professional support where needed.
Today, as a medical practitioner, I continue applying this knowledge in clinical practice by offering brief cessation advice to patients who use tobacco and encouraging them to quit.
Even a short conversation about the dangers of tobacco can become the first step toward recovery and better health.
Every year on May 31, the world marks World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.
The 2026 theme, “Unmasking the appeal: countering nicotine and tobacco addiction,” is especially timely.
It reminds us to expose the tactics used by the tobacco industry to attract young people and normalise addiction.
The truth is simple.
What may look fashionable today can quickly become a lifelong addiction tomorrow.
Young people must stay informed, ask questions and recognise the trap behind these products.
By raising awareness, challenging deceptive marketing and supporting one another, we can protect our communities and ensure that no generation pays the price for the tobacco industry’s flavoured lies.
The author is a former Guild Minister for Health, Makerere University, and currently an Intern Doctor at Bombo General Military Hospital.