“The Tobacco Control Bill: Why the delay? – question Abigail Chibiya and Kamuti Sitali, Zambian Children Young People and Women in Development (ZCYPWD) Brand Ambassadors.
Abigail Chibiya and Kamuti Sitali, Zambian Children Young People and Women in Development (ZCYPWD) Brand Ambassadors.
The Tobacco Control Bill: Why the delay?
By Abigail Chibiya and Kamuti Sitali, Zambian Children Young People and Women in Development (ZCYPWD) Brand Ambassadors.
TWO (2) years have passed since the Tobacco Control Bill (TCB) was introduced in Parliament, yet it remains stagnant, gathering dust on the shelves.
This raises questions about why the enactment of this progressive legislation has been stalled for so long.
Efforts to regulate tobacco cultivation and use in Zambia have been ongoing for over a decade, since ratification of the United Nations World Health Organisation Framework Conversation on Tobacco Control (UN-WHO-FCTC) on Friday 23rd May 2008, with significant strides made in 2017 when Parliament debated a tobacco control policy.
However, the complexity of the subject, along with a lack of political will, has hindered the development of effective legislation.
Additional factors contributing to this impasse include insufficient research into the local context of tobacco growth and usage, a lack of mutual trust among tobacco control stakeholders, concerns over loyalties, fears regarding a ban on tobacco production, silo mentality, and inadequate dialogue among stakeholders.
What has led to the complete stalemate of the Tobacco Control Bill? Despite progress made to ensure the bill addresses the interests of manufacturers, consumers, and the general public, its enactment remains elusive. Is the issue a lack of political will? Conflicts of interest among lawmakers? Tobacco Industry interference?
Regardless of the reasons, the Tobacco Control Bill is crucial for the health and safety of the nation. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that tobacco claims approximately 8 million lives annually, with Zambia recording 7, 142 deaths annually, making it one of the most dangerous substances. Its impact extends beyond smokers, as secondhand smoke accounts for about 1.8 million deaths each year. In Zambia, 7% of school-going adolescents are active cigarette smokers, highlighting a dire public health issue that appears to be overlooked by lawmakers.
A bill with such progressive potential should not languish for years before becoming law. While cabinet approval in principle on Monday 23rd January 2023, indicates governmental commitment to passing the bill (domesticating the UN-WHO-FCTC), the ongoing stalemate suggests otherwise. Young people are the future leaders of this nation, yet their health is at risk due to tobacco-related issues. If the government genuinely cares for the welfare of the youth and the nation as a whole, it must prioritize the enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill in the next legislative calendar. – Kamuti Sitali and Abigail Chibiya present a ZCYPWD show every Saturday 08:00-09:00 hours on Pan African Radio 96.1FM.
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