PASS THE TOBACCO CONTROL BILL

 Centre for Trade policy and development (CTPD) says the delayment in finalizing the Tobacco Control Bill has also profited the Tobacco industry as it has been seen from the increase in Tobacco products advertising, importation and selling of tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices.

Speaking at the Tobacco Control concert in Lusaka under the theme;PASS THE TOBACCO CONTROL BILL, CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo said the enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill will help in protecting the present and future generations from harmful effects of tobacco smoking.

He said losing approximately 7,000 deaths annually to tobacco related illnesses remains a huge burden to the country's productive sectors.

He added that there is need to protect the present and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco products considering that Zambia is the primary target for the industry due to the lack of strong tobacco control policies.

He has since called on the government to speed up the enactment of the tobacco control bill.

Meanwhile Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia Chairperson Webby Mwamulela said the pursuit of a Tobacco Control law and associated tobacco control measures undoubtedly requires support and participation from all levels of society thought-out the country.

In a speech ready in his behalf by the Consortium Vice Chairperson Albert Phiri, Mr Mwamulela said the tobacco control consortium of Zambia stands strong on the importance of having proper tobacco control and regulation.

He has urged Zambian artistes to remove the use of tobacco in their work places such as concerts, dance halls and other venues.

He has also called for a deliberate regulation and implementation to remove all forms of tobacco and nicotine from local music videos and Zambian creative content.