“THEY IS A HIGH LEVEL OF INTERFERENCE FROM TOBACCO INDUSTRY”TCCZ

(picture by Rainbow newspapers)

By Daily News Reporter

The Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia says according to the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, Zambia has experienced the high level of interference from the tobacco industry in both 2020 and 202, surpassing many other African countries.

Acting Consortium Chairperson Albert Phiri has said that the Tobacco industry has been interfering in the legislative process of the tobacco control bill in Zambia.

And Mr. Phiri added that the interference and undue influence by the tobacco industry has caused unnecessary delays in implementing the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the country.

He was speaking this during a media briefing in Lusaka that the tobacco industry in Zambia possesses substantial financial resources, expert influence and enjoys powerful connections to further their agenda.

Mr. Phiri said it is concerning that the tobacco industry opposes the Tobacco Control Bill under the pretenses of advocating ‘harm reduction’.

“It is disheartening to witness the problem itself masquerading as a solution, especially when the lives of millions are at stake sue to a hazardous substance that contributes less than 1% to the country’s GDP” he said.

Mr. Phiri added that the implementation of the tobacco bill will preserve many lives and also alleviate the significant burden on the government’s health care system caused by preventable tobacco- related illnesses.

He said the number of people using tobacco will increase by more than 40% by 2030 if the bill is not enacted adding that enacting the bill will lead to a 30% reduction which will aid the country to meet its SDGs on tobacco use.

Mr. Phiri said the absence of consultation with the civil society during the consultative process while passing the Tobacco ACT of 2022 which seeks to enhance tobacco production, is a cause of apprehension.

"Zambia's Minister of Health, Ms. Sylvia Tembo-Masebo has displayed  efforts to accelerate this process with TCCZ confidence justified on account of her spearheading enactment of laws banning cigarette smoking in Zambia's public premises. Death is death, regardless of any attempts to sugarcoat it as dying from a preventable premature illness is more tragic," said Phiri.

Mr. Phiri  discouraged use of so-called novel products; e-cigarettes vaping or shisha, as a WHO report shows that a single session of shisha pipe smoking lasting between 20 to 80 minutes, translate into another person smoking 100 cigarette," said  Phiri.

Phiri accused the Tobacco Industry (TI) of interfering in the legislative process of the tobacco control bill in Zambia.

Mr. Phiri says interference and undue influence by the Tobacco Industry has caused unnecessary delays in domesticating the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Zambia.

 Mr. Phiri says the tobacco industry in Zambia possesses substantial financial resources, expert influence and enjoys powerful connections to further their agenda.

"The absence of consultation with the civil society during the consultative process while passing the Tobacco ACT of 2022, which seeks to enhance tobacco production, is causing apprehension;" laments Phiri.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Primary Care Research (CPCR) says tobacco related illnesses and deaths afflict over 7,000 Zambians with 60% being the people under the age of 70.

CPCR Researcher, Richard Zulu, says tobacco consumption does not only pose significant risks to public health but also hinders sustainable development of any country.

Mr. Zulu said the matter of tobacco control holds an immense significance as its contribution to the economy remains negligible, accounting for less than 0.04%.

He has further, expressed concern with the improper disposal of tobacco products which pose threats to arable land, waterways and endangers country’s food security, water and the tourism sector.

“The economic ramifications, environmental degradation and health consequences associated with tobacco emphasize its status as a pressing public health challenge requiring immediate attention” said Mr. Zulu.

"As a research institution, CPCR research show that Tobacco use is a major public health concern as it harms even those who use it exactly as specified by the manufacturer,  tobacco use takes away 10 years from the lifespan of life- time users. Tobacco is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases causing cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung, disease diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis," said Zulu

"Our parliamentarians must choose Life through passing the Tobacco Control Bill into law as our nation marks 16 years since Zambia ratified a comprehensive tobacco control law.” He Added