ENACT TOBACCO BILL TO REDUCE DEATHS - ZAMNAT

By Daily News Reporter

Zambia Media Network Against Tobacco (ZAMNAT) has called on the government to speed up the enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill to reduce the death among the youths.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily News, ZAMNAT Chairperson Paxina Phiri stated that by enacting the bill the economy of this country it will gain more and it will reduce spending funding on tobacco related diseases.

Ms. Phiri noted that during the official opening of parliament last Friday the president did not at all addressed the issues of tobacco which is killing more citizens due to consumption of tobacco.  

Tobacco kills more than 7,000 tobacco related deaths yearly with youths and adolescents being the most risks and Zambia losses more revenues because of delaying of enacting the bill, the delay is directly attributed to tobacco industry’s interference. Multinational tobacco companies are powerful organizations that blocking the bill by alleging it will kill the industry and the country’s economy.

Tobacco industry contribute approximately 1 % to the GDP and spends over K2.800, 000 on treating diseases. And its economic threats in Zambia tobacco costs 2.8 billion every year equivalent to 1.2% of GDP in 2016 and it contributes 0.04% of Zambia GDP compared to maize 1.5% and cotton 0.7%.

And Ms. Phiri further urged the ministry of health and the Government to prioritize addressing pressing issues that directly impact citizens’ well-being not over spending time on certain legislative bills. This could include focusing on healthcare services against tobacco, social protection programs, and other essential services that improve the quality of life for people in the country.

She added that the bill has not been proposed to kill the Tobacco Industry but to regulate the Tobacco use and reduce risks among the citizens of this country.