The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) has
expressed its appreciation to Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce Trade
and Industry, for his unwavering support in the fight against tobacco abuse,
particularly among the youth in Zambia.
Tobacco Free Association Executive Director Brenda
Chitindi explained that during a dialogue meeting on 30th September 2024 with
the leadership of TOFAZA and the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, Hon.
Mulenga reaffirmed his dedication to initiatives aimed at curbing tobacco
product abuse among citizens, with a special focus on school-aged children and
young adults.
Ms Chitindi noted that the TOFAZA is committed to
advocating a tobacco-free Zambia through enacting and implementing the Tobacco
and Nicotine Control Bill.
" TOFAZA is committed to advocating a
tobacco-free Zambia through enacting and implementing the Tobacco and Nicotine
Control Bill, we are encouraged by the Minister's support and guidance and it
is unfortunate the girls of Lufwanyama Boarding School who were expelled after
found smoking cigarettes and video-filming themselves,"She noted.
She has since called on relevant authorities to give
another chance to the expelled girls by reinstating back in school and engage
them as advocates against the dangers of tobacco smoking
"Young people have to be prevented from being
addicts as they usually start with smoking cigarettes before they gradually
venture into using strong drugs such as smoking marijuana,"She stated.
In recognising Hon. Mulenga's efforts, Ms Chitindi has
urge the church, parents, political figures, celebrities, and traditional
leaders to unite in the campaign against the rising use of tobacco products,
particularly among the youth.
She said the Tobacco issue poses a significant threat
to the health and educational prospects of our future leaders.
"Tobacco represents a significant public health
challenge that has the potential to affect multiple generations.It is
imperative for us, as the older generation, to safeguard the well-being and
prospects of our youth.
She said the widespread influence of peer pressure,
coupled with the unchecked promotion of tobacco products such as shisha,
vaping, and other emerging tobacco forms, places the impressionable young
people at risk of succumbing to the allure of smoking.
"This habit is not only highly addictive but also
results in the loss of around 7,100 lives annually in Zambia.To safeguard the
well-being of our children and the future of Zambia, TOFAZA is committed to
collaborating closely with the Ministries of Commerce Trade and Industry,
Health, Agriculture, Youth and Sports, Community Development, and Justice to
develop legislation that will effectively limit the marketing, branding, and
sale of tobacco products in our country, especially near schools and other
education facilities,"She added.
The September 30, 2024 dialogue meeting with Hon.
Mulenga was attended by tobacco control advocates who included; Albert Phiri
Chairperson of Tobacco Control Consortium, Dr. Aaron Chansa- Executive Director
National Action for Quality Education who is also the Vice President of Zambian
Alliance for Tobacco Control, and Ms Evelyn Moloka Executive Director Anti
Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) Curtsey
call was prompted by the Minister of Commerce interview on August 15th 2024
where he said he will not support the banning of tobacco
because 93 percent of it is exported for the purpose of getting foreign
exchange for the benefits of the country.
The minister disclosed that tobacco
growing should not just be seen as for smokers because it produces ash which is
used as fertilizer for growing hay which is used as animal feed.
The Minister noted that, even if tobacco
was banned people will still find means of importing it and that will be
encouraging smuggling, something which cannot be encouraged.
Hon.Mulenga also stated that his Ministry
has no intention of killing the market for tobacco because it used for
generating revenue which is used to pay water and electricity bills and
salaries for workers among other positives.
He echoed that, what must be focused on
is behavior formation where people are warned about its excessive use.
The Minister of Commerce Trade and
Industry justifies the growing of tobacco clarifying that, cars kill people in
accidents but they cannot be banned because they are used by citizens for positive
purposes.
He narrated that; beer makes people
happy but when abused one became an alcoholic but it still cannot be banned
because it makes people joyful.
He qualifies the growing of tobacco
claiming that, people are using knives to kill each other but they can't be
banned in kitchens because they are for cutting sweat things like cakes and so
on.
He added that sugar causes sugar disease
which kills people but it cannot be banned because it is useful.
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