Minister of Health Elijah Muchima says the smoking patterns of the young population remain a source of concern for his ministry.
Speaking during the official launch of the tobacco control aerobics in Lusaka today, Muchima said President Hakainde Hichilema is directing attention towards the alarming trend of the tobacco industry's targeted marketing towards children.
"The government of President Hakainde Hichilema is therefore directing attention towards the alarming trend of the tobacco industry's targeted marketing towards children, for example we see the trend of smoking shisha and other related cigarettes in these public places in our suburbs. Throughout extensive social media and streaming platform campaigns, young people's are increasingly exposed to tobacco products thereby posing a significant threat to their health and well-being,"Mr Muchima said.
He said physical activity is a viral component of a healthy lifestyle, saying physical activity is only one component of the equation and bringing awareness on the need for reduction on tobacco use is key to a healthy nation.
" As we engage in aerobics today, let us remember that physical activity is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle, in fact, physical activity is only one component of the equation and bringing awareness on the need for reduction on tobacco use is key to a healthy nation.According to WHO Global Policy Brief, tobacco addiction is a global epidemic that ravages entire countries and regions, wreaking havoc in the most vulnerable countries including Zambia.
Every year over 7,000 Zambians die due to tobacco related illnesses. The Government of Zambia spends an estimated ZMW 2.8 billion on tobacco related healthcare costs creating an enormous toll on population health and development leading to lost productivity, disability, disease and death,"Mr Muchima said
He noted that unless urgent action is taken, the number of deaths could grow exponentially and may reverse all the development gains that Zambia has made so far.
Mr Muchima has emphasized that pollution of air due to tobacco smoke is a serious infringement on the rights of those who do not smoke.
He added that the government is pursuing comprehensive tobacco control legislation to avert the growing trends in tobacco use particularly among the young people.
"Government is pursuing comprehensive tobacco control legislation to avert the growing trends in tobacco use particularly among our young people. On 30 January, 2023, Cabinet approved in principle the Introduction of the Tobacco Control Bill in Parliament. This law will help propagate harm reduction strategies that aim to improve the health of the population by reducing the consumption and exposure to tobacco and nicotine products. The main objective of this law is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. Further, Zambia revised the anti-smoking laws to ban smoking in public places,"He added.
He said the Ministry of Health and key line ministers remain open and committed to engage with all stakeholders to effectively and efficiently address all social determinants of health saying this will in turn lead to reduced disease burden, and accelerate progress towards the attainment of SDG 3 on good health and well-being for all.
He has further urged everyone to become ambassadors of tobacco control at individual, family, society and public level and also educate the families,friends and communities about the dangers of tobacco use.
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