Assent Tobacco Control Bill No 40 of 2025, Hypertension Patient Brenda Chitindi, Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation petition President Hakainde Hichilema
Ms. Brenda Chitindi (left) and President Hakainde Hichilema (right).
By Hellen Bwalya and Derrick Sinjela
Making reference to the May Measurement Month 2026, Hypertension Patient Brenda Chitindi, Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation petitioned President Hakainde Hichilema to sign Tobacco Control Bill (TCB) No. 40 of 2025, which passed Third Reading on Monday, 4th May, 2026.
Tagging the month of May as High Blood Pressure Education Month — “May Measurement Month 2026, ” Ms. Chitindi explained that the global campaign, led by the International Society of Hypertension, urges every Zambian to “Know Your Numbers”. (Your blood pressure readings).
“Why it matters: High blood pressure is a silent killer. It has no symptoms. Yet it is Zambia’s leading controllable risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. A simple check today can prevent a tragedy tomorrow. The crisis:
Hypertension is no longer a “disease of affluence” or “Ba-ndalama” It is rising fast in low-income communities, rural areas, and even among children and adolescents. Public health interventions remain inadequate. Too many Zambians die at home, undiagnosed and untreated,” read Ms. Chitindi’s Tuesday 5th May 2026 Press Release.
Painting a link to tobacco: Tobacco smoke — both firsthand and second-hand — is a leading preventable cause of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes in Zambia, Ms. Chitindi stressed that every cigarette raises blood pressure immediately one takes a puff or inhales smoke as a second hand smoker.
“Every puff damages the heart, lungs, arteries, brain, and kidneys. Nonsmokers with high blood pressure face even greater risk from secondhand smoke,” said Ms. Chitindi.
“The solution is on your desk, Your Excellency. Parliament has massively adopted the Tobacco Control Bill. I am a high blood patient and i make a special appeal to you Mr. President, Dr. Hakainde Hichilema to Sign the Tobacco Control Bill into law this May.
Ms. Chitindi believes once President Hichilema by signs the Tobacco Control Bill four goals will be achieved; first cut hypertension by reducing tobacco use and exposure, especially for youths and children, second save lives from strokes and heart attacks that are devastating families silently in Zambia, thirdly protect the poor, where tobacco’s harm and weak health services collide in Primary Healthcare set up and fourthly honour Zambia’s global commitment to fight Non-Communicable Diseases.
“My fellow citizens of Zambia, this May Measurement Month, let’s do more than check blood pressure. Let’s remove one of its deadliest drivers – TOBACCO.
Know Your Numbers. Control Your Pressure. Control Tobacco,” said Ms. Chitindi as she stressed a Zambia with healthy hearts and strong futures.
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