TOFAZA affirms Tobacco Control Bill as a Public Health imperative, not a commercial intrusion

Monday 23rd March 2026 Press Statement by Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) Executive Director Ms. Brenda Chitindi

The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) has taken note of the recent statement issued by the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) regarding the Tobacco Control Bill No. 40 of 2025.

While we acknowledge ZACCI’s recognition that tobacco use is a serious public health concern requiring government intervention, we wish to firmly clarify that the Tobacco Control Bill is, first and foremost, a public health protection instrument – not a commercial regulatory overreach.

The primary objective of this Bill is to save lives, reduce disease burden, and protect future generations – especially young people – from the devastating health and socio-economic consequences of tobacco use.

Tobacco consumption is directly linked to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, and respiratory conditions, which continue to place an unsustainable burden on Zambia’s health system and economy.

The cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses far outweighs the perceived economic benefits of the tobacco value chain.

It is therefore misleading to suggest that the Bill unduly interferes with private sector operations.

Rather, the provisions that touch on manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and marketing are globally accepted public health measures, consistent with Zambia’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

These measures are specifically designed to reduce access, appeal, and exposure – particularly among children and young people.

TOFAZA emphasizes that this is not a profit regulation law. It does not seek to control prices, dictate investment flows, or undermine legitimate business.

Instead, it establishes safeguards to ensure that commercial activities do not come at the expense of human life and public wellbeing.

The argument that the Bill threatens investment and economic stability must also be weighed against the long-term economic costs of inaction.

Lost productivity, increased healthcare expenditure, and premature deaths undermine national development far more profoundly than responsible regulation ever could.

We also note concerns about regulatory overlap. However, public health considerations inherently require a whole-of-government approach, as the determinants and impacts of tobacco use cut across sectors.

The Ministry of Health’s leadership in this regard is both appropriate and necessary, given the scale of the health risks involved.

On the issue of livelihoods, TOFAZA recognizes the role of the tobacco sector in supporting incomes.

However, it is important to distinguish between economic dependence and sustainable development.

Protecting farmers and workers must go hand-in-hand with efforts to promote alternative livelihoods that do not expose communities to health, environmental, and economic vulnerabilities associated with tobacco production.

Furthermore, evidence from multiple countries shows that strong tobacco control laws, when effectively implemented, do not eliminate economic activity but rather shift it toward healthier and more sustainable sectors.

The protection of young people must remain at the centre of this national conversation.

The aggressive marketing and accessibility of tobacco products continue to expose children and adolescents to lifelong addiction and preventable disease.

This Bill is a decisive step toward breaking that cycle.

TOFAZA therefore calls on policymakers to remain resolute and ensure that the Tobacco Control Bill No. 40 of 2025 is enacted in a form that prioritizes public health, human dignity, and the right to life. – Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) Executive Director Ms. Brenda Chitindi