Tobacco Consumption remains major concern-TFAZ

TOBACCO Free Association of Zambia says that the consumption of tobacco remains a major public concern globally, with its use becoming increasingly popular, especially among the youth.

National Coordinator Obed Lubasi has observed that Zambia is currently facing a high burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and Communicable Diseases such as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, strokes, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, which are highly attributed to the projected increase in tobacco use.

Mr Lubasi said that the Tobacco Free Association of Zambia Youth Advocate strongly believes that it is imperative for government the to enact and enforce policies mandated by the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco

Control to protect the present and upcoming new generation from aggressive marketing and sale of tobacco products.

He said that the projected increase in tobacco-attributed mortality is alarming and demands immediate action.

This is contained in a statement issued to the Daily Nation.

“It is no secret that the world’s largest tobacco companies are targeting children, adolescents, and youths as replacement smokers, with special advertising and promotions of tobacco products designed to appeal to the youth, and product placement near learning institutions across the globe. Zambia is no exception to this sad development,” Mr Lubasi said.

“As youths, we are deeply concerned about the current trend, and we believe that significant reduction in tobacco use will ensure declines in

Non-Communicable Diseases and a healthier national population.,” he said.

“We urge the government to prioritize the well-being of the Zambian youth and come up with policy measures to urgently enact the tobacco control bill, which has been pending for decades,” Mr Lubasi said.

He charged that the importance of tobacco control is well-recognized and backed by an evidence-based treaty, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to which Zambia is a Party.

He said that the Tobacco Free Association of Zambia Youth Advocates are confident that enacting this bill will be an obligation to protect the public from the devastating health, social, economic, and environmental consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to its smoke.