Tobacco-Free Association accuses industry of targeting young smokers, calls for urgent passage of control bill

The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) has accused the tobacco industry of targeting young smokers, jeopardising their education and health.

Executive Director, Brendah Chitindi, expressed shock at the news that several girls filming themselves smoking had lost their places at Lufwanyama Boarding School in Copperbelt Province due to expulsion.

Chitindi claimed that the blame lies with tobacco companies promoting cigarettes near educational facilities across the country.

“Young children are vulnerable and unable to make sound decisions to avoid smoking, especially under peer pressure,” she said. “These children are the future of Zambia and their families have high hopes for them to succeed through education.”

Chitindi voiced disappointment that the tobacco industry continues to market its products to youth, disregarding their education and health. Lufwanyama Mayor Annie Kapandula Kalamatila confirmed that the smoking incident occurred in July.

Chitindi highlighted that Zambia, a party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) since 2008, had yet to domesticate the treaty despite finalising the Tobacco Control Bill in 2018.

“Article 5.3 of the FCTC urges parties not to promote the tobacco industry’s profit-oriented activities at the expense of public health,” Chitindi noted.

She expressed concern that the government’s enactment of Tobacco Act No. 10 of 2022 allows the tobacco industry greater operational freedom while public health suffered.

According to WHO figures, tobacco consumption claimed approximately eight million lives globally each year, with over 7,000 deaths in Zambia alone.

“Without passing the Tobacco Control Bill, Zambia will continue to lose lives and compromise children’s futures due to the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics,” she warned.

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