World No Tobacco Day Sparks Fresh Calls for Tobacco Bill Assent in Zambia

By Alain Kabinda

As Zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating World No Tobacco Day 2026, health advocates and researchers are raising alarm over the growing use of tobacco and nicotine products among young people, warning that the country faces a rising public health crisis if urgent action is not taken.

And this year’s global theme is “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” this year’s commemoration has placed renewed focus on how the tobacco industry continues targeting children and adolescents through flavored nicotine products, attractive packaging, and aggressive social media marketing.

Tobacco advocators say products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, shisha, and synthetic nicotine devices are increasingly becoming popular among young people, exposing them to addiction and long-term health complications at an early age.

Speaking during the commemorations in Lusaka, Tobacco-Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) Executive Director Ms. Brenda Chitindi warned that Zambia is already witnessing a troubling increase in non-communicable diseases linked to tobacco and nicotine use.

                                                                  (Ms. Brenda Chitindi)

She said diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancers, and chronic respiratory illnesses are now increasingly affecting younger populations, including children and adolescents.

“We are calling on all sectors of society to confront the growing threat of nicotine and tobacco addiction among our young people,” Ms. Chitindi said.

According to public health advocates have noted that the tobacco industry has deliberately shifted its marketing strategies toward younger audiences by using colorful branding, sweet flavors, fashionable packaging, and digital advertising campaigns that make harmful products appear modern and harmless.

“The industry knows what it is doing. It continues to market its products in ways designed to appeal to adolescents. We must unmask this appeal and protect the next generation before addiction takes hold,” Ms. Chitindi said.

She further commended government for advancing the Tobacco Control Bill, describing the proposed legislation as one of the most significant public health interventions Zambia has seen in years.

Ms Chitindi also added that this Bill is expected to strengthen tobacco regulation by restricting youth access to tobacco products, regulating nicotine devices, reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, and limiting tobacco advertising targeted at young people.

The tobacco control movement has since appealed to the Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to assent to the Bill without delay.

“Your assent will demonstrate that Zambia values the health and lives of its citizens above industry interests,” Ms. Chitindi said.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Primary Care Research (CPCR) has also backed the Tobacco Control Bill, saying research conducted over the past 15 years consistently shows the urgent need for stronger tobacco regulation.

Speaking at the same commemoration CPCR Executive Director Professor Fastone Goma, said that the organization described tobacco use as one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death in Zambia.

He further noted that tobacco-related illnesses continue placing a heavy social and economic burden on families and the healthcare system.

Prof Goma also highlighted several research findings that informed recommendations within the Tobacco Control Bill, including evidence showing that late adolescents between 19 and 21 years are among the most vulnerable to developing smoking addictions.

He further raised concern over harmful additives such as menthol, which studies show increase addiction risks, particularly among youths and women.

Another major area highlighted by CPCR was the effectiveness of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging.

According to the organization, previous text-only health warnings introduced under older public health laws had limited impact because many smokers either ignored or failed to understand them.

“We showed that less than 22 percent of smokers noticed the text warning labels. Pictorial warnings are more effective in promoting smoking cessation,” Professor Goma said.

The new Tobacco Control Bill proposes that 75 percent of tobacco packaging surfaces should carry rotating pictorial health warnings designed to educate consumers about the dangers of tobacco use.

The legislation also proposes banning the sale of tobacco products to individuals below the age of 21, a move health advocates believe could significantly reduce youth addiction rates.

Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia (TCCZ) Chairperson Mr. Muloboka Albert Phiri further called on the media, schools, parents, and communities to strengthen awareness campaigns and provide accurate information about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products.

Mr. Phiri also emphasized that protecting children from tobacco addiction goes beyond awareness alone and requires dismantling the marketing strategies used by the industry to attract young consumers.

As Zambia continues debating the future of tobacco regulation, stakeholders say the country now faces a defining public health moment — one that could shape the health and wellbeing of future generations.

Advocates insist that stronger tobacco control measures will not only save lives, but also reduce healthcare costs, improve productivity, and protect communities from preventable diseases linked to nicotine addiction.

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