“Oris gives you wings.” That’s the line taking over TikTok. Scroll for a minute and you’ll see it: jokes, aesthetic smoke videos, memes like, “I’d rather smoke Oris than cigarettes” or “We smoke the Oris till we hit the s.” It’s funny. It’s viral.
Oris is a slim, flavoured cigarette with a twist. Click it and the taste changes—apple, strawberry, mango. Not your typical cigarette, and that’s exactly the appeal.
Unlike traditional brands, Oris is becoming a favourite among young Kenyan women. It smells fruity, looks cleaner, and feels less harsh. That combination is pulling in a new crowd.
Then there’s the packaging. Kenyan law requires clear health warnings on tobacco products, but Oris replaces them with fruit illustrations. Bright, playful, and misleading—a toxic product dressed like a snack.
Even more surprising, it’s illegal. Even less surprising, it’s everywhere. Hidden under bar counters, sold in shops, pushed on social media, even listed on food delivery apps.
The price helps it spread. About KSh15 per stick and KSh200 for a pack of 20 slim flavoured “wings.” Cheap enough to turn curiosity into habit.
Reputable health bodies like the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warn that flavoured cigarettes are more dangerous than regular tobacco.
Why flavoured cigarettes are more harmful:
- They mask harshness;
Flavours like menthol, fruit, and candy create a cooling effect that hides tobacco’s natural bitterness. Menthol/mint—a Gen Z favourite in Kenya—has been banned in areas such as the European Union for its deadly risks. - They encourage deeper smoking;
With reduced irritation, smokers inhale more deeply and hold smoke longer. Groups like NY Smoke Free note this increases the intake of toxic chemicals and tar. - They fuel addiction;
Research cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows that flavours like menthol can enhance nicotine’s addictive effects, making dependence stronger.
“Flavours are fuelling a new wave of addiction and should be banned. They undermine decades of progress in tobacco control. Without bold action, the global tobacco epidemic—already killing around 8 million people each year—will continue to be driven by addiction dressed up with appealing flavours,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.
In Kenya, pressure is building. The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA) is calling for a complete ban on flavoured nicotine products.
KETCA Chairperson Joel Gitari says: “We need to regulate the law and make it harder for people to bring this illicit nicotine into the country. There is a very thin line between personal freedom and public health. Public health comes first.”
He adds: “Remember, your right ends where mine begins. There is passive smoking—you are endangering others. Cigarette butts also destroy the environment and ruin scenic views.”
The debate has reached Parliament, with Nominated Senator Catherine Umma pushing to clamp down on all flavoured nicotine products.
So yes, Oris “gives you wings.” But the real question is—who’s controlling the flight?
