YOUTHS CALLS GOVERNMENT TO ENACT TOBACCO BILL TO SAVE LIVES  

By Daily News Reporter

Young people and various stakeholders in Zambia have continued to voice out on the need to enact the tobacco control bill in to law.

SPEAKING to the media in Lusaka Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia Chairperson Albert Phiri stated that tobacco related substances are affecting the children in accessing quality education.

“Children are being affected by tobacco advertising and selling near schools this has led many children to be affected with tobacco products,” Phiri said.

He added that they is need enforce the law by the Government to enact the bill to reduce death and risks of tobacco use among children.

He urged all to unity with all the stakeholders and fight this challenge of tobacco abuse and the youths in the country.

This follows the celebration of *World No Tobacco Day* which falls on May 31, 2024 which is being observed across the continent.

And this year's World No Tobacco Day is being commemorated under the theme *Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Tactics*May marks World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), a global campaign spearheaded by WHO to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. This year’s theme – Protecting children from tobacco industry interference – highlights a critical battleground. Despite significant progress, millions of young people remain vulnerable, with a staggering 37 million aged 13–15 years using some form of tobacco globally.

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) Natalie Kaunda acting Executive Director has noted with concern the delay in the enactment of the Tobacco Control law considering that the Ministry of Health statistics show that about 7,000 deaths in Zambia are tobacco-related; deaths that are preventable if government establish required measures.

To this the government plays an imperative role in protecting the right to life of its people which is enshrined in the Bill of Rights embedded in the Zambian Constitution of 1991 as amended by Act no 18 of 1996 and Act no 2 of 2016.

“The obligation to protect means the government must protect individuals against human rights abuses and the duty to fulfil requires the government to take actions that facilitate the enjoyment of the right to life; this action should be the enactment of the Tobacco Control law’, She said.

She also urges the government to uphold its obligation to protect and fulfil the right to life and public health. This should be demonstrated through expediting the process of enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill.

CTPD also celebrated with youths across Lusaka through sports activities to raise awareness to the communities the dangers of tobacco abuse among the citizens.