The centre for Primary Care Research (CPCR) has observed that the presence of tobacco products and the improper disposal of cigarettes butts pose a severe threat to arable land, waterways,beachs, and air quality, thereby endangering Zambia's food security, drinking water, climate and the flourishing tourism sector.
Speaking at the media briefing in Lusaka, CPCR, Senior Researcher Richard Zulu said the economic ramifications, environmental degradation, and health consequences associated with tobacco emphasize it's status as a pressing public health challenge requiring immediate attention.
He noted that for people living with HIV, the situation is made worse because tobacco use compromises the immune system and the benefits of Ant-Retroviral therapy (ART) cannot fully be realized.
Speaking earlier the Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia Chairperson Albert Phiri observed that for almost two decades, there has been a lack of substantial action in enacting comprehensive tobacco control legislation to domesticate the WHO framework convention on tobacco control (FCTC).
He said the absence of a tobacco control law to domesticate the WHO FCTC has had detrimental effects on the well-being of Zambians, economy, and the environment.
Mr Phiri said interference and undue influence by the tobacco industry has caused significant unnecessary delays in implementing the (WHO FCTC) in the country.
"According to the global centre for good governance in Tobacco Control, Zambia has experienced a high level of interference from the tobacco industry in both 2020 and 2021, surpassing many other African countries. The situation becomes even more concerning in the 2023 Report, which highlights Zambia as one of the countries where tobacco industry interference has significantly hindered the progress of comprehensive tobacco control laws," He said.
The CSOs has since demand and harm reduction strategies that aim to improve the health of the population by eliminating or reducing their consumption of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke.
"It is said that if we do not enact the legislation,the number of people using tobacco will increase by more than 40% by 2030, while enactment of this tobacco control law will lead to 30% reduction greatly assisting Zambia to meet it's sustainable development goal on tobacco use. Economists have reported that enacting the tobacco control law in Zambia will avert an expenditure of more than K685 million over 40, 349 lives in the same period. Total savings over the next 15 years will be in excess of K12.4 Billion," He said.
Mr Phiri added that by passing the bill the country can decrease the number of Zambian children who begin smoking adding that it will save lives and enhance the overall health of the Zambia population.
He stated further delay to enact the Bill would mean choosing death and destruction for Zambians and their environment.
He has since urged government to choose life and pass the Bill into law.
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