The Government of Tanzania is preparing new legislation aimed at tightening control over the use of shisha following growing concerns that the product is being misused for consuming narcotic substances.The announcement was made in Dodoma during the presentation of the 2025 National Drug Situation Report.

According to the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo, research findings have shown that some individuals are mixing shisha with illegal drugs, raising alarm among authorities responsible for drug control and public health.

Shisha, a flavoured tobacco smoked through water pipes in restaurants, lounges, and entertainment venues, has become increasingly popular among young people in recent years.However, officials now say its growing use has also opened a channel for abuse, especially where users combine it with prohibited narcotics.

The government therefore intends to introduce stronger legal measures to regulate its use and reduce potential risks associated with drug consumption.The report also highlighted broader efforts by the government to combat drug trafficking and abuse across the country.

In 2025, authorities seized more than 1,074 tonnes of illicit drugs, including large quantities of cannabis, khat, kratom, and skanka, as well as smaller amounts of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.Officials noted that intensified enforcement operations have made it harder to access some industrial drugs such as heroin and cocaine.Mr Lyimo further explained that drug traffickers are continuously changing tactics, which requires authorities to keep adapting their strategies.

The report is intended to guide policy decisions, improve stakeholder understanding, and strengthen national drug control efforts through enforcement, awareness campaigns, and rehabilitation programmes.